Modern Challenges to Liberalism• Classical liberalism vs.

Modern liberalism• Negative vs. Positive

freedoms• Environmentalism• Neo-Conservatism• Religion• Aboriginal Collective

thought

Classical vs. Modern Liberalism (274)

Classical• No govt

interference• Govt to protect

life, liberty & property

• Emphasizes economic freedom & role of entrepreneur

Modern• Significant govt

intervention• All individuals

valued equally• Emphasizes

programs to help the disadvantaged

• Promotes ideas to share the benefits of development

•Great Depression•Wealth Gap

between developed/less

developed nations•Rise of alternative ideologies such as

communism & fascism

Negative vs. Positive Freedoms (275-78)

Negative Freedoms• Individuals free to make choices• Equality of opportunity• ‘Freedom from’ government interference

Positive Freedoms• ‘Freedom to’ make choices• Government provides supports to help ensure

equality of outcome, not just opportunity**To a certain extent – real equality of outcome is socialism or

communism

Liberalism Evolves (280)• Environmentalism– Rise of Greenpeace & the Friends of the Earth– Climate change & Canada – breaking news!– Greenpeace victories:

• Ban on weapons tests• UN ban on driftnet fishing• Ban on toxic waste dumping• Agreement to stop using toxic chemicals in computers

– Environmental protection recognized in:• UN agreements• Quebec Charter of Rights

• Rejected by free market economists• Free market economists rejected by Worldwatch Institute– Pooheads! Need less stuff, not more!

Liberalism still evolving. . .(282)Canada & the Carbon Tax• Emission reduction targets• Cap & Trade – buy & sell credits• Carbon Tax (with income tax reductions)• Combos (no fries, please!)

More Evolution. . .maybe (284)Neo-Conservatism• Reaction to civil rights movement &

affirmative action• Fight the commies, don’t talk to them!• Fuelled by Thatcher (British PM) and

Reagan (US President) during the 80s.• Project for the New American Century –

Neo-conservatism lives!• Economically like classical liberals – more

or less (public vs. private schools)• Hallelujah – here comes the Christian

Right. . .

Good-bye Freedom, Hello Jesus (290)• Many neo-conservatives (not all) also

members of the Christian Right, which favours:– Banning abortion– Banning gay marriage– Banning violence & sex on TV & video– Allowing prayer (Christian) in public schools– Teaching creationism in science class

Aboriginal Collective Thought (294)• Tends to place more emphasis on the collective,

not the individual• Defines progress differently – tradition &

continuity are important• Emphasizes egalitarianismNunavut Government• Consensus government – no political parties• Role of elders importantAboriginal Justice• Sentencing circles – combating perceived bias– Restorative rather than punitive