To what extent do contemporary issues challenge the principles of liberalism

The Viability of Contemporary Liberalism

Look at examples of how liberal democracies respond to contemporary challenges and determine how effective liberalism has been adapting to these changes.

In this chapter

Challenges to liberalism we have discussed from previous chapters

Environmentalism 280-283 Neo-conservatism 284-286 Religious perspectives 287-293 Aboriginal collective thought 294-296 Aboriginal experiences of liberalism in Canada

304-316 Imposing liberalism for self-interest 319-321 Imposing Liberalism for Humanitarian reasons

321-324 Authoritarianism 327 -366 Authoritarian Political Systems 357-361

THE VIABILITY OF LIBERALISM

How do some contemporary issues raise questions about the viability of liberalism?

Modernism defined NOTES

Modernism defined NOTES

OriginsDeveloped during the Enlightenment periodUses science an rationality to establish an organized society.

Postmodernism NOTES

ConceptsScience provides universal and enduring truths.Knowledge will lead to progress.Freedom consists of obedience to laws that are based on reason.Reason and rational thinking are the ultimate means of establishing what is true.

Modernism defined NOTES

OriginsDeveloped during the Enlightenment periodUses science an rationality to establish an organized society.

Postmodernism NOTES

ConceptsScience provides universal and enduring truths.Knowledge will lead to progress.Freedom consists of obedience to laws that are based on reason.Reason and rational thinking are the ultimate means of establishing what is true.

Postmodernism NOTES

A movement that began as a reaction to modernism after the two world wars.

Presents several challenges to liberalism Reason, universal truths, and the importance of

science are not seen as important or viable. Asks the questions that need to be asked in any

functioning liberal democracy. Provides opportunity to challenge the values and

ideals associated with liberalism. It asks modern liberalism to keep thinking to keep its

options open Individual rights, ways of thinking (knowledge and reason)

With no shared understanding of an absolute values or a belief system it is difficult for postmodernists to have:

Used to refer to individuals in a pejorative way.

A belief system that is outside mainstream views.

Weakness Postmodernism

Extremism

Notes

Weakness Postmodernism

Extremism NOTES

Extremist views can progress in two directions.

They can become socially accepted over time:

They can become socially intolerable:

Extremist views can progress in two directions. NOTES

Extremist Threats to liberal democracies NOTES

Extremist Threats to liberal democracies NOTES

How to maintain civil liberties and security for all citizens when threatened by extremist actions.• War measures Act 1970 (temporary)• Emergencies Act 1988 (permanent) • Anti Terrorism Act 2001 (permanent) • USA Patriot Act 2001 (permanent)

Freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression

Economic extremism

What solutions to contemporary issues are supported by the principles of liberalism

Contemporary Issues and Liberalism

Consumerism as a Liberal Issue Brings in to question the viability of liberal

principles. Look at Fig. 12-5 & 12-6 What do the dollar amounts tell you about

consumption priorities? Education is behind cosmetics Safe water behind ice-cream consumption in Europe All forms of healthcare behind perfume and pet food

sales Liberal democratic societies allow for a wide range

of consumer choices & how to prioritize those choices.

Addressing consumerism

Provincial recycling fee (tax) on new electronic devices.

3. 5 million Albertans -- 100,000 computers, 200,000 televisions are discarded per year.

Why is the government is involved in the recycling of these devices

Do you feel that a recycling fee is effective at addressing some of the negative consequences of consumerism?

What other actions could the government take to address consumerism?

Contemporary Issues and LiberalismUnanticipated Consequences of Liberalism

Unanticipated Consequences of economic freedom and development (complete chart on 1st page of worksheet page of 418-427)

Contemporary Issues and LiberalismUnanticipated Consequences of Liberalism

Wealth and resource development – little benefit to colonized countries – cash crops

– difficult to participate in global economy. Citizens not treated equally –

differential laws restricts the pace of development.

Encourage violence, illiberalism & terrorism – unequal treatment of some countries by

developed nations.

Environmental Change and Activism

worksheet for pages 419-427

Kyoto Protocol

worksheet for pages 418-427 To date the United States has yet to

ratify agreement why might the USA be so reluctant to do so?

Germany: Nuclear power plants to close by 2022

Germany's coalition government has announced a reversal of policy that will see all the country's nuclear power plants phased out by 2022.

There have been mass anti-nuclear protests across Germany in the wake of March's Fukushima crisis, triggered by an earthquake and tsunami.

Contemporary Issues and LiberalismChina and India 21st Century

Economic reforms have been quick.

Traditional Low wage

manufacturing and exporting sectors

More deliberate Colonization Well educated

and English speaking labour force.

Focus on service industry.

China India

Issues with economic success

Both have limited land – loss of agricultural land Loss of traditional values and cultural Exploitation of workers Mismanagement of environment Class structure 7 of top 10 polluting cities are Chinese******* Conflict between economic development and

environmental deprivation. Economic expansion is often at the expense of

environmental sustainability.

Battery factories across China have been closed amid fears about poisoning from metals used by the industry 30 May 2011

The rechargeable lead batteries are used in scooters, cars and some mobile phones.

Increased demand for electric scooters alongside higher car production has driven up the demand for lead batteries.

Top 10 polluted cites

Sukinda, India Linfen, China Tianying, China Vapi, India La Oroya, Peru Dzerzhinsk, Russia Norilsk, Russia Chernobyl, Ukraine Sumgayit, Azerbaijan Kabwe, Zambia

Pandemics / Dangerous VirusesChallenges of Democratic Societies

How to protect society, trade and development, and basic freedoms. International cooperation Negotiation Compromise Relinquish national interest for those of the

world community WHO

dissemination of info. Tracking of outbreaks

SARSGovernment response post SARS

Collaboration Planning and emergency preparedness Infection disease surveillance Use of media Quarantine Act (Canada)

Water Shortages

Alberta oil sands 3-5 barrels of fresh water per barrel of oil Contaminated water / environment Communities in the region / health / culture

(Chipewyan First nations)

To what degree should fresh water be used in the development for the development of natural resources and industrial growth?

Water Shortages

Regulation and control – whose rights take precedence land owners, farmers, municipalities, business.

Water management – tension over who owns and controls the flow of water

Precipitation patterns / urbanization putting demands on fresh water Garrison Diversion project Old Man River Saint Mary’s river Milk river

China / India / Africa / Asia Industrial growth

& agriculture – pressure on need for fresh water over use causing drought

pollution

POLITICAL ISSUES