What Does ‘Respect for Difference’ Mean?

In his chapter, Laegaard (Chapter 2) focuses on liberal institutions. He questions the solidity of the distinction between ‘respect for difference’ and ‘respect for dignity’, by paying attention to what it means for institutions to respect difference. He concludes that from this perspective, the conceptual distinction between the two forms of respect – a distinction that is generally considered as the distinctive feature of multicultural citizenship – misconstrues the relation between liberalism and multiculturalism. This tempers the opposition between multiculturalism and liberalism, and help show how multiculturalism remains deeply connected to liberal values, even in its apparently more radical versions.