CHAPTER 8 Contemporary Challenges to Liberalism

Classical Liberalism effects Modern Liberalism

Involves no government interference (hands off).Propose that the sole function of government is to protect individuals natural rights to life, liberty and property.Emphasizes economic liberalism and promotes the freedom of the entrepreneur

Contributed to the great depressionContributed to the wealth gap between the more developed world and the rest of the world, thus leading to such things as political instability and hyper consumerismContributed to the development of counter-ideologies such as communism and fascism and the expansion and revision of liberal ideas.

Involves significant government intervention ( Keynesian Economics and demand side economics)Proposes that all individuals be valued equallyProposes the development of programs to help the disadvantaged individualsPromotes initiatives to share the benefits of development and to develop wisely.

HAYEK’S POINT OF VIEW

It appears only lukewarm in its support of pure laissez-faire capitalism, with Hayek even going so far as to say that "probably nothing has done so much harm to the liberal cause as the wooden insistence of some liberals on certain rules of thumb, above all of the principle of laissez-faire capitalism". In the book, Hayek writes that the government has a role to play in the economy through the monetary system, work-hours regulation, and institutions for the flow of proper information.

VOICES P.275 Is Hayek’s point of view closer to classical liberalism or modern liberalism?

CLASSICAL LIBERALISM AND NEGATIVE FREEDOMS

Freedom from tyranny, freedom from fear, freedom from hunger and freedom of discrimination.

Modern LiberalismPositive freedomsExample: freedom of expression

Classical LiberalismNegative freedomsExample: freedom from persecution for following a chosen faith.

Classical Liberal Modern (Contemporary) Liberal

Laissez-faire governmentGovernments should act to protectIndividual rights and freedoms and propertyEconomic freedomEquality of opportunity

Hands-on role for governmentGovernment should establish programs to helpDisadvantaged individualsRedistribution of wealthEquality of income

Classical Liberal ( negative freedom) Modern Liberal ( Positive Freedoms)

Freedom from want, freedom from prejudiceFreedom from religious persecutionFreedom from discrimination

Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expressionFreedom of the pressFreedom of conscience and religion.

CHALLENGES TO LIBERALISM Questions to consider:

How much do we want or need the government to be involved in our lives?

How much freedom are we willing to give up in exchange for security?

Why did classical liberalism evolve into modern liberalism?

How have new ideas contributed to or challenged modern liberalism?

CLASSICAL LIBERALISM REVIEW Originated in the Enlightenment

Writings of Locke : people have certain natural and inalienable rights

Society should be a community of political equals, all of whom respect the rights of one another

Cornerstone of modern Democracy

These ideas were rejected by Fascism and Communism

UNITED NATIONS

Classical Liberals would oppose this declaration as the rights described in it require intervention in the form of government programs.

Government intervention would upset the laws of the marketplace.

THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION Protecting rights of workers required government intervention.

As workers obtained the right to vote they would support political parties that reflected their concerns

MODERN LIBERALISM INTERPRETATION Supports equality of income and opportunity

Universal health care ensures a common standard of care

Providing greater equality of circumstances

LIBERALISM EVOLVESHOW IS MODERN LIBERALISM CHALLENGED BY ALTERNATIVE THOUGHT? Environmentalism is a broad philosophy and social movement centered on a concern for the conservation and improvement of the environment.

Carbon Tax A carbon tax is an environmental tax on emissions of

carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a heat-trapping "greenhouse" gas. The purpose of a carbon tax is to protect the environment by reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change.

PAUSE AND REFLECT P.283

To what extent should the Canadian government implement policies based on citizens’ concerns about the environment?

NEO-CONSERVATISM Neo conservatism is a political philosophy

Supports using American economic and military power to bring liberalism, democracy, and human rights to other countries.

NEO-CONSERVATISM Favour a return to Classical Liberalism

Were against “affirmative action” : this policy went against the American ideals of equality and their strong belief in Individualism.

1960’s and 1970’s was a period of détente : diplomacy the neo cons saw this as a weak foreign policy goal.

1980’ Reagan and Thatcher encouraged a foreign policy goal of a military build up to fight communism around the world.

When the Berlin wall came down in 1989 the Neo cons felt that they had won.

During the 1990’s George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton cut military spending.

NEO-CONSERVATIVES After 911 the neo cons policy of promoting democracy and challenging governments that were hostile to the USA was again adopted by the White House

Economic Policy

Lower taxes in a free market economy

Classical Liberalism: decreases government intervention and focuses on individualism

WTO and the IMF: promote free trade and reducing tariffs

Milton Friedman opposed government programs such as public education and public health care.

Neoconservatives generally advocate a free-market economy with minimum taxation and government economic regulation; strict limits on government-provided social-welfare programs; and a strong military supported by large defense budgets. Neoconservatives also believe that government policy should respect the importance of traditional institutions such as religion and the family. Unlike most conservatives of earlier generations, neoconservatives maintain that the United States should take an active role in world affairs, though they are generally suspicious of international institutions, such as the United Nations and the World Court, whose authority could intrude upon American sovereignty or limit the country's freedom to act in its own interests.

NEO-CONSERVATIVES Role of government: not comfortable with the large amount of services by modern governments.

Establishment of private schools ( 23% in the USA and 4% in Alberta

Free-market economy ( individualism not Collectivism)

Foreign Policy: Patriotism and a strong military Invasion of Iraq in 2003

NEO-CONSERVATISM AND MORALITY Traditional views about social issues

Influenced by the Christian right

Curtail abortion, allow prayer in school

STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS, 2002

Voices p. 287

What ideas from this speech reflect neo-conservative ideas related to foreign policy? USA has interests that extends beyond its borders Democratic capitalism is preferable Patriotism is good Increase spending on the military can be justified by classical liberalists because you are protecting freedom.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND THE LAW Modern liberals support the freedom of religion and that all individuals must be treated equally.

May support a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion, live common law.

Favor equal rights for people of all sexual orientation

ABORIGINAL COLLECTIVE THOUGHT Decisions are made using consensus instead of debating and

voting Consensus model every individual voice must be heard

A central principle of modern liberalism is to share the benefits of development and to develop wisely.

Free of party politics

Movement towards health centre's run by First Nations regardless of the type of medicine used

A health system that is autonomous from the Federal government

Interpretation of the Past

Vision of the future

Beliefs about Human Nature

Beliefs about the structure of Society

Level of Support Impact on Liberalism

Environmentalism Support for scientism led to unforeseeable problems.

Can accept progress as long as the impact on the environment is considered.

Environmentalists believe that we are responsible for caring for the environment and have an innate ability to do so.

All living things should be considered in the structure of society.The perspective of political voices such as environmental lobby groups and the Green Party embrace a social structure that respects environmental issues and concerns.

Green political parties have gained increasing support green legislation is common

Questions the belief that all progress is positive

Neo-Conservatism “The state of humanity as never been better…” pg 281Policy went against many Americans’ ideals of equality and their strong belief in individuals” pg 284Détente reflects weak foreign policy.

Minimal government interference.

Countries have interests beyond their borders and need strong military forces.

When given freedom from government restrictions, the human sprit is capable of great feats.

Individualism favoured over collectivism

Republicans in U.S.A reflect neo-conservative ideology.Conservatives in Canada have some neo-conservative policies

Counters the idea that progress is more important than tradition.

Religious Perspectives

A wide range of perspectives are possible, due to the wide range of religious belief.

A wide range of perspectives are possible, due to the wide range of religious belief.

A wide range of perspectives are possible, due to the wide range of religious belief.

A wide range of perspectives are possible, due to the wide range of religious belief.

Religion plays an important role in the lives of many Americans. It is less significant in Canada

Challenges the faith in humanistic polices and in some cases focuses on integrating church and state.

Aboriginal Perspectives

The traditions of the past play a central role in the lives and culture of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

The future depends greatly on the present. The role of stewardship of the land and elders sharing their wisdom and knowledge with the younger generations are crucial.

Humans work co-operatively to ensure peaceful coexistence according to Creator.

Co-operative, collective decision making using consensus mode.

A growing number of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit are feeling empowered to take action

Challenges the idea of progress related to liberalism.Land ownership challenges the rights of the individual.Political practices challenge the idea of voting for majority rule.

COMMUNICATION : ANALYZING POINTS OF VIEW AND PERSPECTIVES TO FORM AN OPINION P.298

Quotation

Summary Classical or modern Liberalism (or both)

1 Criticism of liberalism Classical liberalism

2 A cynical comment on modern liberalist and classical liberalism Elements of both

3 A positive interpretation of modern liberalism Modern liberalism

4 A positive reflection on classical and some modern conservatism Classical liberalism

5 A satirical statement about modern liberalism and classical liberalism Elements of both

6 A targeted point of view that judges the merits of both liberals and conservatives along the continuum of liberalism(both exist within the context of a liberal democratic system); satirical statement about modern liberalism.

Elements of both

• Just what is a carbon tax?• The blueprint for Forward Base

America• Bountiful sect members face pol

ygamy, child-related charges

• New aboriginal courtroom in Calgary to host sentencing circles

News Articles

Discuss the following editorial cartoons. What ideology and reaction to liberalism is being

expressed in these sources?