Related Issue 3 looks at the viability of liberalism So when we look at this related issue, we have to ask ourselves, how well have the underlying beliefs and values of liberalism worked throughout history, and today?

Throughout our exploration of this issue, we have discussed and inquired into the following topics. 1. Democracy in theory and practice, and how well our democratic institutions reflect liberal values. 2. Government actions and whether their actions reflect the liberal values we have discussed in class 3. Economic equality and how much governments should encourage economic equality in society 4. Is liberalism working in contemporary society?

1. Democracy in theory and practice, and how well our democratic institutions reflect liberal values. When we look at this topic within the issue of viability of liberalism, democracy is always an important institution that must be discussed. 1. Democracy is a liberal value in theory as it is the institution gives citizens of the country the freedom to choose what they want from their government and holds leaders accountable to its citizens and not vise versa. 2. When looking at democracy, one has to ask himself, how is the will recognized within a democracy.

1. Democracy in theory and practice, and how well our democratic institutions reflect liberal values. There are many things that we have discussed in class that pertain to the process of ensuring that the will of people are reflected in a democracy. They are as follows: 1. Voting and Electoral Process: The following criteria should be considered when looking at the way the will of the people is reflected within a democratic country: - It always allows for public input - It provides representation that reflects a range of different opinions and perspectives - It hold politician and their actions accountable to the voters.

Voting and Electoral Process: When looking at a liberal democracy, voting must be ensure, and democracies usually have organizations that ensure that elections are conducted according to democratic principles.

Question for Review: What are the 2 types of democracies that we discussed in class? Which one is a better reflection of true democratic principles? Why isn’t this one used much today?

Voting and the Electoral Process What are the 2 different ways in which people are represented by representatives in the government? 1. Rep by Pop: each citizen should have one vote, and that each elected representative should represent roughly the same amount of people * When voting, the winners are decided by FPTP: The one that wins the most votes is the candidate that represents the whole constituency. In your opinion, does this reflect the true will of the people?

Voting and the Electoral Process What are the 2 different ways in which people are represented by representatives in the government? 2. Proportional Representation: voters generally vote for a party rather than a candidate, and party representatives are assigned to sit in Parliament based upon the percentage or proportation of the popular vote their party recieves. Why do some claim that proportial representation is a better reflection of the will of the people, and in theory, more democratic?

Another way in which a gov’t is supposed to reflect the will of the people is through party politics. The thought is that people will vote with a party’s ideology that best aligns with their own. However, we have learned this is not always the case, and that although MP’s are expected to vote in the way their constituents want, this does not always happen. To whom should party members be loyal to? The Party, voters, or both? To what extent does the idea of loyalty reflect liberal values?

The question at hand is, how accountable is the government to its people? What institutions are in place in the Canadian government to ensure the government is held accountable to the citizens? 1. Opposition Parties 2. Freedom of the Press 3. Referendums and Plebiscites 4. Interest Groups 5. Freedom of Speech 6. Freedom of Association

In your own opinion, does contemporary democracy truly reflect the principles of liberalism?

Another issue we have discussed in class in relation to democracy is the idea of disregarding the will of the people, and if democratic governments have the right to do so.

As we have seen throughout history, and in contemporary society, democracies have disregarded the will of the people during times of crisis to ensure that the safety of the common good is upheld. There are a few instances in which the Canadian government have disregarded the will of the people; 1. Conscription 2. War Measures Act 3. Deportation of war resisters 4. The Emergencies Act 5. Anti Terrorism Act

When looking at the previous instances of when the gov’t disregarded the will of the people and at times suspended the civil liberties, one has to remember that for the most part, many of these acts were temporary, which greatly differs from Authoritarian governments. Authoritarian governments are accountable to no one but themselves and decisions are made from the top down, meaning that the will of the people is always ignored. What is the difference between the actions of Authoritarian governments and the actions taken by the Canadian government in disregarding the will of the people?

2. Government actions and whether their actions reflect the liberal values we have discussed in class When looking at this issue, we have looked at the following questions: 1. In what ways do the actions of Canada’s government go against or reflect the will of the people? 2. In what ways can a democractic government enhance liberal values?

What structures within the Canadian government may not reflect liberal values? 1. The Senate 2. Governor General 3. Tradition of Political Parties * Why do many view these aspects of our government as going against liberal values?

What structures within the Canadian government reflect liberal values? The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Promoting Political and Economic Rights - Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms - Canada’s Multicultural Act - Collective Rights ( Two Official Language groups, Aboriginal Peoples)

Economic equality and how much governments should encourage economic equality in society. One of the most important issues that a government must make decisions about how a country will best address the economic needs of its citizens. As we have looked at this, we know that there are many different ways that governments attempt to address this issue based on the different ideology that a country may adhere to.

Economic equality and how much governments should encourage economic equality in society 2 different ways of thinking when it comes to addressing the economic needs; 1. Economic freedom to make own choices and succeed or fail at own risk 2. Economic equality with others; sharing success or failures as a society

Economic equality and how much governments should encourage economic equality in society. Economic Equality Can include: 1. EGALITARIANISM 2. EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY 3. EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION of INCOME

Economic equality and how much governments should encourage economic equality in society. Economies and Liberalism Any economy wants to solve the problem of SCARCITY and choice. Resources and products are always limited and we must make choices about these resources and products.

Economic equality and how much governments should encourage economic equality in society. Economies and Liberalism To address scarcity, economic systems must respond to the following questions; 1. What will be produced 2. How will the goods and services be produced? 3. To whom will they be distributed and at what price? 4. Who will make these decisions? * How economic systems answer these questions, result in the following economic systems: command, mixed, free-market

Is liberalism working in contemporary society? Societies today face situations that challenge liberal values such as individualism, freedom of expression, self interest, intrusion by gov’t, and mobility rights. We also know that challenges that societies face can force societies to reconsider liberalism. Some challenges are poverty, debt, the environment, internet, censorship, and health crises. Many believe that moderate self interest, rather than selfishness will address these challenges to liberalism and what roles governments should play in doing so.