To what extent do contemporary issues challenge the principles of liberalism The Viability of Contemporary Liberalism Chapter 12

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  Neo-conservatism  Religious perspectives  Aboriginal collective thought  Aboriginal experiences of liberalism in Canada  Imposing liberalism for self-interest  Imposing Liberalism for Humanitarian reasons  Authoritarianism  Authoritarian Political Systems

THE VIABILITY OF LIBERALISM How do some contemporary issues raise questions about the viability of liberalism?

Modernism defined NOTES  Developed during the Enlightenment period  Uses science an rationality to establish an organized society.  Concepts  Science 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)

Weakness Postmodernism  With no shared understanding of an absolute values or a belief system it is difficult for postmodernists to have:  Common shared understanding of what citizenship is.  Common aspirations for a “good life”.

Extremism NOTES  Used to refer to individuals in a pejorative way.  A belief system that is outside mainstream views.  Advocates actions that are considered socially or morally unacceptable.  Use of non-violent or violent means to target innocent civilians.

Extremist views can progress in two directions. NOTES  They can become socially accepted over time:  Women’s suffrage movement  Gender equality  Racial equality  They can become socially intolerable:  Some forms of environmental actions – spike trees  Some forms of anti political actions – G8 summits  Terrorism – al Qaeda, FLQ

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  Extremists professing intolerant views that promote hatred toward others.  Economic extremism  Privatization  Deregulation  Unrestricted free market access for foreign corporations

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 & 12-6  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 but how do they prioritize those choices.

Addressing consumerism  Provincial recycling fee (tax) on new electronic devices.  3. 5 million Albertans ,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 Liberalism Unanticipated Consequences of Liberalism  Unanticipated Consequences of economic freedom and development (complete chart on 1 st page of worksheet page of )

Contemporary Issues and Liberalism Unanticipated 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

Kyoto Protocol  worksheet for pages  To date the United States has yet to ratify agreement  Canada as of Dec.14 th 2011 has withdrawn.  Why might the USA and now Canada be so reluctant to do so?

Contemporary Issues and Liberalism China and India 21 st Century  Economic reforms have been quick.  Low wage manufacturing and exporting sectors  Colonization  Well educated and English speaking labour force.  Focus on service industry. ChinaIndia

Issues with economic success  Both have limited land – loss of agricultural land  Loss of traditional values and cultural  Exploitation of workers yet poverty is being reduced  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.

Pandemics / Dangerous Viruses Challenges 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

SARS Government 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