Modus vivendi as a liberal practice

Modus vivendi has been traditionally conceived of as the pejorative model of toleration, i.e., toleration as mere acquiescence or forbearance. Interpreted as the ‘darkest side’ of toleration, modus vivendi is pursued for prudential reasons only, surely not for moral reasons like respect for others’ freedom and self-determination. This is the idea of modus vivendi theorized by John Rawls, who conceives it as the unstable way for people to coexist in spite of the ‘unreasonableness’ of some of them. Pace Rawls, modus vivendi is not to be understood necessarily as this fragile arrangement. Modus vivendi may be instead a practical accommodation that can be accepted for a variety of reasons by those who are parties to it. In order to defend modus vivendi I first introduce some seminal accounts of it, then, secondly, I try and interpret it as a liberal practice. I choose thus not to engage with a proper theory of modus vivendi. I will be rest content with modus vivendi being an effective practice to deal with differences. I interpret this practice as liberal, that is, open to host any difference, both liberal and non-liberal. Modus vivendi is thus consistent with liberalism and its ideals.