Contemporary Challenges to Liberalism

Chapter 8

How do you imagine the world to be 50 or 100 years from now?

The evolution of some key aspects of liberalism (page 274 of your text)

Classical Liberalism & Negative Freedoms

The principles of classical liberalism revolve around the belief that individuals should be free to make choices.

This freedom is commonly called negative freedom, or ‘freedom from’ (since you are free from something)

Positive Freedoms Negative Freedomse.g. Freedom of expression e.g. Freedom from cruel or

inhuman punishment

MODERN LIBERALISM CLASSICAL LIBERALISM

Let’s review pages 276 and 277 and let’s discuss the evolution of classical liberalism into modern

liberalism

How did this evolution occur?What events led to this evolution?Is it still evolving? How?

Modern Liberalism & Positive Freedoms

Positive Freedoms can be thought of as ‘freedom to’

Progressives (those who supported a shift to modern liberal ideas) believed that certain conditions prevented all members of society from achieving equality

Therefore government intervention ensured equality of opportunity

Modern liberals argue that you cannot be free if your basic needs are not met, if you are oppressed from unfair labour practices, or subject to discrimination. Hence, government intervention is needed to prevent these things from occurring.

At the same time they believed too much government intervention could lead to tyranny. Therefore they call for protection of civil liberties, equal rights, and transparent government

In review:Classical Liberalism > Negative FreedomsModern Liberalism > Positive Freedoms

With a partner:

1. Write down 3 examples of positive freedoms and 3 examples of negative freedoms

2. On page 279 complete the ‘Concept Application’ section (#2: Compare and Contrast)

Liberalism Evolves

We will look at how these affect modern liberalism: Environmentalism Neo-Conservatism Religious perspectives and Aboriginal perspectives

Environmentalism

How do environmental views and/or organizations such as Greenpeace shape modern liberalism?

Think about it: if classical liberalism places individualism and capitalism above all else how would the environment be affected? How has a shift left changed that?

Read the Voices section on page 283 and answer questions 1-3.

Neo-Conservatism

It emerged out of the U.S. in the 1950s & 60s as a reaction to modern liberal principles they believed that went “too far.”

Many neo-conservatives are former liberals who believed liberal policies failed.

Some favoured a return to the values of classical liberalism while other neo-conservatives challenged the values of both classical and modern liberalism.

Some specifics on Neo-conservatism

With the affirmative action-steps taken to counter past acts of discrimination- that arose out of the civil rights movement, many neo-conservatives saw this as opposing equality and individualism

They also saw the period of détente (period of negotiation between the U.S. and the USSR during the Cold War) as a time of weak foreign policy. They believed in actively spreading democracy by fighting against communism.

Neo-conservatism grew in popularity during the 1980s with Regan and Thatcher in power.

During the 1990s aspects of neo-conservatism declined with less money spent on military expenditures

In 1997, the Project for the New American Century (PNAC) was established by neo-conservatives to advocate for increased defense-spending, strengthening ties to democratic allies, promoting democracy and capitalism abroad, and challenging other governments that were hostile to American interests and values.

Many members of PNAC became part of George W Bush’s administration and, after 9/11, neo-conservative policies were adopted once again.

Neo-Conservative Economic Policy

They believed economic growth can be stimulated by cutting taxes and with limited government intervention in the economy

Their ideas resemble classical liberal values WTO and IMF policies are similar to those of

neo-conservatives. These organizations promote free trade and reducing tariffs, concessions, and regulations by which government involves itself in commerce

Neo-conservatism and Foreign Policy

Foreign policy is an area of common ground for most neo-conservatives and includes ideas like: Patriotism is good and should be encouraged World government is not a good idea as it would lead

to world tyranny A large country has interests that extend beyond its

own borders, and thus needs a strong military Democratic capitalism is a preferable system to

others and should be promoted internationally

Neo-conservatism and Morality

They generally have traditional views on social issues

Are influenced by conservative Christianity many neo-conservatives seek to curtail abortion

rights, allow prayer in schools, and urge teaching about creationism in science classes.

Read:Placing the Community Above the Individualand Government Limitations on Religious PracticesOn pages 288-89 of your text and be prepared to discuss.

Aboriginal Collective Thought

First Nations peoples value the importance of the collective, a connection to the past, and tradition.

In many Aboriginal societies egalitarianism is emphasized (all people should be treated as equal.

Read: Nunavut & Aboriginal Justice on pages 294-95

Be prepared to discuss.