Socialism as a Response to
Classical Liberalism
Social 30-2
 Developed
Socialism
in the early 19th
century as a response to the
declining social and economic
conditions of the working class
during the Industrial
Revolution
Felt these issues could be
addressed by encouraging
government involvement in
the economy.
Felt
it would increase the
distribution of wealth.
Difference Between Socialism
and Classical Liberalism
 Although
Socialism embraced
the concepts of human rights
and democratic government,
they also embraced collectivist
aspects.






Collective Responsibility
Collective Interest
Co-operation
Economic Equality
Adherence to Collective Norms
And Public Property
Socialism vs. Classical
Liberalism
Lets
take a look at the charts on
page 147 in your book, comparing
Socialism and Classical Liberalism.
Early Democratic Socialism
 Believed
that Modern Liberalism
did not provide the type of
government intervention that
would address the collective
interests of society.
 Believed
that political, economic, and
social change could be achieved without
revolution… as opposed to Marx.
 Believed that things could be changed
through democratic processes. Such as
elections, and reforms.
Early Democratic Socialism
 Embraced
Liberalist views
such as democracy,
freedom, and
individual rights.
However,
 Believed
Capitalism
infringed upon the
rights of the workers
to being truly free.
Early Democratic Socialism
Solution?
Greater
government
involvement in the
affairs of society.
Social Programs
I.e.-
unemployment
insurance, health
care, education, and
child care.
Socialism
Marxism
and
Communism
Utopian
Socialism
Democratic
Socialism
Democratic Socialism in Canada
 Western
Canada’s impact on the
country’s social welfare programs.
 Many
of the country’s social welfare
programs that exist in Canada, originated
in Western Canada. Programs that many
of you will likely come in contact with.
 Such as:
 Student Loans
 EI
 Child-Care Initiatives
 CPP
 Minimum Wage
 Universal Health Care
The Great Depression
1920’s
A
and 1930’s
period of harsh
economic conditions.
People once again
question the validity
of Classical
Liberalism.
The Great Depression
October
Tuesday”
29, 1929 “Black
Crash
in stock market
prices in New York City. Hit
all around the world.
Canada,
Companies
go bankrupt,
Investors lose all their money,
And unemployment reaches 27%.
The Great Depression
 Slowly,
Socialism and
the idea of
government
intervention becomes
more appealing.
 More
and more of the
population began to look
towards the government
to stop the bleeding.
Co-operative Commonwealth
Federation (CCF)

Founded in 1932, in
Calgary, AB.
 Prairies
were hit
particularly hard, because
of the impacts of an illtimed drought.
 People were forced to
abandon their homes, and
search for work where
they could find it.
 J.S
Co-operative Commonwealth
Federation (CCF)
Woodworth, first party
President
Regina
Manifesto
 Shelters for the jobless and homeless
 Job creation programs
 Pensions for those who had worked
their whole lifetime but could not be
cared for by their impoverished
children.
 Health services that would be
subsidized by the government so that
people could get medical help for a
fraction of the normal cost.
Co-operative Commonwealth
Federation (CCF)
 Tommy
Douglas,
elected Premier
of Saskatchewan
 Created
Canada’s
form of Universal
Healthcare
 CCF eventually
became the NDP,
which is still
around today.
http://www.youtu
be.com/watch?v
=gqpFm7zAK90
Socialism in Quebec
Post
World War 2
Maurice
Duplessis,
Premier of Quebec
Strongly
anti-communist,
Strongly anti-union,
Supported Quebec
independence from
Canada,
However…
Socialism in Quebec
Government
involvement in the
economy
Public
works
projects
Highways
Schools
Hospitals
Socialism in Quebec
 The
struggle to separate
from Canada was a driving
force for these groups.
 The
Canadian Government was
seen as an oppressive force, in
which revolution was needed to
break free from.
 I.e.- Group Marxiste
Revolutionnaire
Parti Quebecois

Rene Levesque, Quebec
Separatist Leader





Public Insurance Program
Pharmacare (cheap medication)
Child Care System
Parental Leave Program
Today, Bloc Quebecois
Question?
How
come Socialist parties had such
a huge influence in Western Canada in
the early 20th century, but that’s not
the case today?…