The evolution of tolerance

We examine dynamics about the evolution of tolerance. Tolerance is respecting the culture (including thoughts and beliefs) of others and not asking them to accept one’s own culture. A conflict due to different cultures can be avoided only by a coordination between the players in a way that either party yields, but the sequential nature of the tolerance game gives the first mover an advantage of intolerance, hence, no emergence of tolerance in equilibrium. However, an evolutionary approach shows that tolerance may emerge in equilibrium. The evolutionary dynamics can also explain diverse tolerance levels across societies and what Popper called the paradox of tolerance, that tolerance decreases tolerance. Finally, numerical simulations show that high tolerance propensity does not necessarily increase welfare of the population.