(oh I know you weren’t disagreeing, sorry if my tone came across like that!)

Oh the joys of communication by text online 😄

whether the social contract (equality/tolerance) is one that should be enforced

Here, I agree with Karl Popper that a tolerant society which permits intolerance is doomed to be undermined, as you outlined with the gradual descent. In this case, I believe that means the contract needs to be enforced if it is to have any meaning at all.

Of course, a society like that build upon such a rigid constitution will never evolve with the times.

Usually, a body of law consists of both a rigid, more general constitution laying down the fundamental values and principles by which the polity in question is governed, and a more flexible and specific set of laws designed to be malleable and evolve with the times. There is also often some leeway in enforcing those laws in order to allow a more fine-grained case-by-case handling.

The vulnerability we observe right now is that the processes designed to govern the modification and application of that contract require a degree of engagement, leisure and education in order to make informed decisions, critically question claims and also reflect on your own preconceptions. A society seeking to remain free and democratic must afford its citizens the luxury of participation and encourage them to get involved.

I don’t need to point out all the ways this is going poorly.