According to the George W. Bush Institute, “improving our commitment to pluralism is intrinsically tied to strengthening our democracy.” 

The Institute recently launched “We the People: Pluralism in Real Life,” a practical pluralism toolkit, which offers language, real-world examples, and actionable steps for American leaders to pursue pluralism in their lives and work.  

Last year, Interfaith America spoke with one of the toolkit’s authors, the Institute’s Director of Freedom and Democracy, Chris Walsh.  

Walsh described the foundational role of pluralism in the nation’s founding and the Institute’s Pluralism Challenge, an initiative launched in response to the “crisis of confidence” in American democracy, characterizing the lack of trust in institutions, prevalent polarization, and political tensions of this moment in history.  

He emphasized that pluralism — respecting diverse identities, building mutually inspiring relationships, and cooperating across difference for the common good — is not always easy.  

“It takes struggle, it takes sacrifice, it takes reflection — all the things that ultimately help our character formation and help us to be better people,” he said. 

In “We the People: Pluralism in Real Life,” Walsh and toolkit co-author William McKenzie present nine practical steps for engaging pluralism, citing scholars including Eboo Patel, Amanda Ripley, and Manu Meel. 

The toolkit also offers resources for advancing pluralism, highlighting organizations committed to this work and outlines the benefits of a pluralistic society, emphasizing social peace, civil liberties, and opportunity.  

“When it comes to pluralism, the stakes for America are existential,” Walsh and McKenzie write. “That’s not an exaggeration. Our nation — as a free, democratic society — cannot continue without it.”