Just as delicate plants that thrive in one climate may wither in another, political structures and institutions that are stable and engage citizens in one set of circumstances may be highly unstable and fail to engage citizens in another situation. To spread liberal democracy to the developing world (and support it where it already exists), it is crucial to identify the conditions that influence the fortunes of liberalism in particular situations.

Liberal theorists have generally acknowledged that certain material factors are necessary for liberalism to be a viable political system. More interesting (and controversial) is the need for a common set of values, beliefs, or practices – Mill's “fixed points” or core civic commitments. One of these values is autonomy, or the capacity of individuals to make their own choices by reflecting rationally and deliberately on the alternatives. Another of these core values is that of tolerance for other ways of life.

It is not hard to see how these two values may conflict. On the one hand, allowing custom, tradition, or habit to have undue influence over a person's course in life means those choices would not be hers in the way required for autonomy.