Intolerance: Causes and Way Forward | Editorials by CSS & PMS Aspirants
The following article, “Intolerance: Causes and Way Forward“, is written by Hamail Syed, a student of Sir Syed Kazim Ali. Moreover, the article is written on the same pattern, taught by Sir to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. Sir Kazim has uploaded his students’ solved past paper questions so other thousands of aspirants can understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Intolerance remains one of humanity’s most pressing challenges in today’s highly globalized and interconnected world. Indeed, it manifests worldwide in various forms: religious bigotry, racial discrimination, political extremism, and cultural rejection, undermining social harmony and fueling division in societies. Unfortunately, technological advancements and educational progress have failed to mitigate intolerance, which continues to generate conflict, discrimination, and even violence globally. Thus, identifying the root causes of intolerance and devising effective strategies to foster coexistence remain crucial for societal progress.
The Root Causes of Intolerance
Starting with an explanation of the root causes of intolerance globally, intolerance persists due to deep-seated social, economic, and political issues, which, if ignored, collectively sow discord and perpetuate cycles of hatred.
- Ignorance and Lack of Education
First and foremost, ignorance and lack of education provide fertile ground for prejudice in the world. Since individuals without exposure to different cultures, religions, or ideologies are more susceptible to stereotyping, misinformation festers in such environments. Indeed, differences are perceived as threats rather than growth opportunities in aggrieved societies. A case in point is the recent incident in Pakistan, where a girl was threatened for wearing a garment with Arabic calligraphy, highlighting how a simple cultural expression can be misinterpreted as an ideological statement. Similarly, in Western societies, Islamophobia thrives mainly due to a lack of awareness about Islamic teachings. According to the UNESCO report, “Education can reduce intolerance by 40 per cent,” showing knowledge’s powerful role in dismantling biases. Nevertheless, many education systems fail to incorporate cultural literacy, thus leaving individuals vulnerable to prejudiced narratives.
- Political Exploitation
Furthermore, political exploitation exacerbates intolerance by fueling social division for electoral gains. Throughout history, political leaders have manipulated societal divisions to consolidate power. When political rhetoric plays on religious, ethnic, or ideological divides, intolerance escalates, often culminating in communal violence. For example, India’s 2019 general elections saw the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) employ Hindu nationalist rhetoric to garner support. As a result, hostility toward Muslims and Pakistan surged, which fostered an environment of hatred. Likewise, globally, populist leaders manipulate public sentiments by framing minorities or dissenters as threats. Thus, such strategies not only deepen social rifts but also embolden extremist factions.
- Economic Disparities
In addition, economic disparities breed resentment, further intensifying intolerance globally. Indeed, when individuals struggle to secure employment; access healthcare; or improve their living conditions, scapegoating certain groups becomes a common response. As stated in a World Bank report, economic imbalance significantly predicts violent crime. In societies where poverty and unemployment are prevalent, social tensions rise, fostering intolerance against marginalized communities. For instance, resentment against migrant workers in Europe and hostility toward religious minorities in developing countries illustrate how economic deprivation exacerbates prejudices. Hence, unless addressed, economic disparities would continue to fuel intolerance globally.
- The Media’s Role in Spreading Hate and Misinformation
Next, social media and news outlets are crucial in shaping public perceptions in today’s digital age. While they have the potential to foster understanding, they are often used as tools for spreading hatred and misinformation. For instance, sensationalized headlines, biased reporting, and disinformation campaigns amplify intolerance. A 2020 report by the EU Disinfo Lab exposed how the Srivastava Group ran a disinformation network to discredit Pakistan internationally through fabricated stories. Sadly, societal divides are exacerbated since misinformation spreads six times faster than factual news. Thus, digital platforms have become echo chambers that reinforce prejudices rather than dismantle them.
- Fear and Group Identity
Lastly, psychologically, intolerance is driven by fear of losing cultural identity, economic stability, or political dominance. Undoubtedly, when a group of a community remains excluded for a long time and is deprived of all necessities, it becomes vulnerable. This ‘us versus them’ mentality – deeply rooted in evolutionary psychology – fuels xenophobia, racism, and sectarianism. For example, political campaigns that emphasize ‘protecting national identity’ exploit this psychological tendency, which reinforces societal divisions. As a result, intolerance becomes deeply ingrained in societal structures, thus making it harder to dismantle.
The Consequences of Unchecked Intolerance
Stepping ahead, history provides further evidence of how unchecked intolerance can lead to large-scale atrocities.
- The Rwandan Genocide
One of the most tragic examples is the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, where ethnic intolerance resulted in mass violence. Due to longstanding political manipulation, tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi communities escalated into a massacre, which claimed nearly 800,000 lives within 100 days. According to a 1999 United Nations report, between 150,000 and 250,000 women were subjected to sexual violence during this period. Therefore, this case highlights that intolerance, when left unchecked, can lead to genocide.
- Islamophobia in France
Similarly, Islamophobia in France demonstrates how state policies institutionalize religious intolerance. In 2004, the French government banned headscarves in public schools under the principle of laïcité (secularism). As a consequence, Muslim women faced disproportionate restrictions on religious expression, which reinforced the perception that their identity was unwelcome. Although framed as a move to uphold secular values, such legislation has thus fueled resentment and alienation.
Strategies for Combating Intolerance
However, addressing intolerance globally requires a multifaceted approach, combining education, policy reforms, media accountability, and economic equity.
- Education Reform: First, schools must integrate cultural literacy and critical thinking into curricula to combat ignorance.
- Legal Measures: Second, governments should implement stricter anti-hate crime laws to deter discrimination.
- Media Regulation: Third, social media platforms must enforce content moderation to curb misinformation.
- Economic Inclusion: Fourth, policies promoting equal opportunities can reduce resentment caused by disparities.
- Interfaith and Cultural Dialogues: Lastly, encouraging exchanges between diverse communities fosters mutual understanding.
A Collective Responsibility
In synopsis, intolerance is not an insurmountable challenge, but addressing it requires collective action. Undeniably, unchecked intolerance leads to conflict and suffering; governments, educators, media institutions, and civil society must work together to dismantle prejudices; promote inclusivity; and uphold human rights. Nevertheless, history has demonstrated that societies prioritizing education, justice, and mutual respect create more harmonious communities. Therefore, in a world increasingly defined by diversity, embracing tolerance is not only a moral imperative but also a necessity for global stability.
CSS Solved Past Papers’ Essays
Looking for the last ten years of CSS and PMS Solved Essays and want to know how Sir Kazim’s students write and score the highest marks in the essays’ papers? Then, click on the CSS Solved Essays to start reading them.
CSS Solved Essays
CSS Solved General Science & Ability Past Papers
Want to read the last ten years’ General Science & Ability Solved Past Papers to learn how to attempt them and to score high? Let’s click on the link below to read them all freely. All past papers have been solved by Miss Iqra Ali & Dr Nishat Baloch, Pakistan’s top CSS GSA coach having the highest score of their students. General Science & Ability Solved Past Papers
