Why Tolerate? Cognitive Mapping of the Dichotomy in Elites' Use of Threat

This thesis aims to demonstrate the differential use of threat by anti-tolerance elites, by constructing cognitive maps of parliamentary speeches from post-independent India and Ireland. Making use of existing knowledge from four areas, namely cognitive mapping, parliamentary debates, belief systems, and threat perception, this thesis takes a novel approach to studying the conditions of intolerance, thus furthering the understanding of the rising majoritarian currents across the world.