1. The Imposition of Liberalism
TOP TEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

2. 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?

3. Pros of embracing liberalism2
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)

4. Cons of trying to impose liberalism3
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

5. Canada imposing liberalism4
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

6. South Africa and Apartheid5
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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

10. The Arab Spring 9
Tunisia – moving towards a truly liberal society
Terrorist attacks to try to prevent this
Libya 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

11. 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?