Neutrality and tolerance within the understanding of michael walzer

The paper analyzes the concepts of «tolerance» and «neutrality» in the study of the political philosopher M. Walzer. The author notes the uncertainty of the parties of multicultural processes considered by Walzer. Exploring the examples from the history of several multinational empires and immigrant communities, the author interprets neutrality as an earlier historical stage of tolerance. In addition, the article notes the impossibility of implementing the rules of neutrality in a modern multicultural state due to the inability to ensure citizens the right to pursue their own concept of good. Tolerance itself in the interpretation of M. Walzer appears in two ways. On the one hand, it is an individual trait of a person and citizen, on the other hand, a certain state regime in relation to ethnic groups and their practices, aimed at ensuring their peaceful coexistence.