A Democratic and Diverse Society: Balancing Equality and Exemption

Abstract

AbstractThis concluding chapter returns to reflect on some basic principles and concepts introduced at the outset, in the light of the trends noted in Part III. It examines the relevance of cultural heritage: it considers the potential of conscientious objection to contribute to a pluralistic, diverse and stable democratic society; and weighs the risk of the principle having the contrary effect of licensing evermore “islands of exclusivity”, thereby either promoting religious pluralism or further fragmenting social coherence. In so doing it examines the public/private balance of interests and considers the extent to which the proportionality principle may contribute to that balancing exercise.