Tolerance Between Individuals is different than Tolerance Between Groups
Groups teach their members to exercise various levels of tolerance between each other.
Between groups, however, the level of tolerance is decided by each party separately, since we don't have a common set of values that determine for everyone.
So one group may recommend that their members exercise high levels of tolerance towards members of other groups while another group may not reciprocate.
This routinely leads to conflict.
Conformity is an important necessity when individuals wish to live in groups.
People need to be able to know what behaviors to avoid in order to get along well.
They need to recognize the behavioral boundaries of the group.
There are both advantages and difficulties when people need to conform.
This is where the conflict begins between individuality and conformity.
How can someone successfully live in a group and still cultivate their own individuality?
Since it is not possible to require people to function above the levels of their natural ability, the level of expected conformity has to be around the ability of the average person.
Conformity is a simple way to maintain order.
Conformity serves as a minimum safety net.
Individuals have to navigate and negotiate their way between their own personal values and the values of their group.
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