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
•Great Depression
•Wealth Gap
between
developed/less
developed nations
•Rise of alternative
ideologies such as
communism &
fascism
Modern
• Significant govt
intervention
• All individuals
valued equally
• Emphasizes
programs to help
the disadvantaged
• Promotes ideas to
share the benefits
of development
Negative vs. Positive Freedoms (27578)
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 egalitarianism
Nunavut Government
• Consensus government – no political parties
• Role of elders important
Aboriginal Justice
• Sentencing circles – combating perceived bias
– Restorative rather than punitive