Contemporary Issues and Liberalism What solutions to contemporary issues are supported by the principles of liberalism?

Unanticipated Consequences of Liberalism Wealth and resource development not benefiting former colonies. –Results in poverty and huge debt loads. Citizens in colonized countries not treated in ways that reflected the principles of liberalism. –Loss of land, access to resources, abuse… Colonial situations spawn conditions that create violence and terrorism. –Unequal treatment of countries and their citizens…

The Partition of Africa

Environment Environmental change: Changes in the natural world around us. –Many groups have resorted to activism to draw attention to the problems caused by industry. How to promote economic and personal freedom while also promoting a high quality of life for all society?

Greenpeace protest

Environment Environmental movement becomes strong in the 1970s. –Several major publications and articles bring issues to the public domain. –Major events (Oil spills, water shortages etc...) Greenhouse gas emissions: These gases change the way the atmosphere absorbs and emits radiation, changing the temperature of earth.

Exxon Valdez oil spill

Kyoto Protocol (2005) Climate change: Science has now shown that human economic activities have a major affect on the climate of the earth. Kyoto is an international agreement in which world leaders planned to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. –The only binding international agreement that sets specific goals for emission reduction. –Countries have met goals with varying levels of commitment and success.

Kyoto Protocol (2005) Canada ratified the protocol under Paul Martin’s Liberal government. Since then there has been very little progress taken towards achieving Canada's goals by either the Liberal Party of Steven Harper’s Conservatives. Friends of the Earth Canada (a non-profit group) launched a lawsuit (2008) against the Canadian government to commit to the goals of the Kyoto Protocol.

Water Shortages Oil Sands: 3-5 barrels of water needed to produce one barrel of oil. –Muskeg and Athabasca rivers threatened by overuse and contamination. –High cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan (downstream from development). 173 billion barrels of recoverable oil – barrels of water needed.

Oil Sands Tailings Pond

Syncrude Facility Alongside the Athabasca River

Water Shortages Water is essential for life. –Availability has decreased around the world over the last 50 years. There are now regulations in many areas regarding the use of water (when to water lawn etc…) There is concern that under NAFTA, Canada will end up selling fresh water to the USA.

Pandemics A pandemic is an outbreak of disease on a global scale. –SARS, bird-flu, and H1N1. Mass communication has increased our knowledge of disease. Easy international travel has increased their ability to spread quickly.

Pandemics Problem: How to protect people without restricting the freedom of movement and trade between countries? World Health Organization (WHO): –An international health organization. –Monitors established protocols and tracks disease and pandemics. –Action becomes a shared responsibility of every nation, regardless of their form of government.

China and India Both countries are experiencing tremendous economic growth. Both have huge populations and access to vast resources. –China: Focus on becoming a center for low- wage manufacturing and exporting of goods. –India: Concentrate on providing services (call centers and data-processing-large English speaking labour force) as well as exporting manufactured goods.

China and India Problems: –Loss of farmland and traditional economy. –Exploitation of underpaid workers. –Environmental concerns. Air pollution from vehicles huge. 7 of worlds 10 most polluted cities in China. Coal power generation. Industry (steel, petrochemical, paper etc…)