The Imposition of Liberalism TOP TEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

What does it mean to impose liberalism on others? 1 What does it mean to impose liberalism on others? To strongly encourage them to accept liberal values Rule of law Protection of private property Capitalist economic ideas Individual rights Fair elections Checks and balances on government Do we have the right to expect others to accept our values?

Pros of embracing liberalism 2 Pros of embracing liberalism more rights & freedoms (humanitarian) economic: establish liberal economic institutions to strengthen economy (improve standard of living) build trade relationships peace – respect for different values, trading relationships (Golden Arches Theory, Dell Theory of Conflict Prevention)

Cons of trying to impose liberalism 3 Cons of trying to impose liberalism Many states that are not already liberal have not gone through the same evolution we did with the Enlightenment Rule of law – the government and their friends are above the law Protection of private property –gov. take property any time Rights (education, freedom of expression) –only rights for elite Fair elections/checks and balances on government –rulers want to protect power (controlled participation) = illiberalism – claim to be liberal (democracy -elections) but lack other institutions like independent courts = not truly liberal

Canada imposing liberalism 4 Canada imposing liberalism Aboriginal Peoples Indian Act – meant to preserve treaty rights, used to promote gov control Land claims abuses Abolishing cultural practices such as the Sundance and Potlatch Residential Schools

South Africa and Apartheid 5 Apartheid = keep apart (tribes, Blacks and Whites) Nelson Mandela Tried to use the courts, turned to violent protest Arrested Conditions in prisons Bring attention to conditions in Black communities International pressure Sanctions End apartheid Violence Government corruption

Afghanistan 6 Pre 9/11 –world wary of Taliban gov. (grew out of the Soviet retreat in 1989) Madrassas, Al Qaeda, oppression of women, destroy culture Post 9/11 –world agrees Taliban must be removed from power and democracy established War on Terror (NATO) Outcome – high death toll, illiberal actions Karzai government corrupt, but the best option for first ”liberal” government – tribal society Control of extremist groups – education, violence during elections Some success Greater rights for women, building infrastructure

7 Iraq Pre-emptive strike (faulty information on WMD) Consequences Violation of international law, rejected by UN Consequences War – high death toll, damage to infrastructure Sectarian violence: Sunni/Shi’ite civil war (2006) Elections – majority rule = 80 parties all based on ethnic loyalties, Shi’ite majority Rise of ISIS due to alienation of Sunni leaders Impact on reputation of liberal democracies – renditions, Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay (detainees)

China – how do they justify these actions, and should we take action to stop it? 8 One child policy Capital punishment, labor camps Sweatshops Environmental damage Intellectual property rights Worker’s rights Freedom of speech (Google, prisoners of conscience) Tibet

The Arab Spring 9 Tunisia – moving towards a truly liberal society Terrorist attacks to try to prevent this Libya - 2011 UN agreement to use any means necessary to protect civilians rebelling Were we trying to overthrow the government = imposing a revolution? Did Gadhafi's reputation influence our willingness to use violence? Egypt – democratically elected gov started to become illiberal so another revolution - put military back in power Just as repressive as before (imprison anyone who supported the democratically elected gov) Syria - why UN support for rebels in Libya but not here Refugee crisis

Should strong liberal nations take over failed states? 10 Regions of the world where chaos reigns Haiti Somalia Should UN (or another powerful institution/ country) take over the region until they prove that they can rule themselves? Post-WW II – what was the outcome of the Four Powers taking this stance in Europe and Japan?