To what extent do contemporary issues challenge the principles of liberalism The Viability of...
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Transcript of To what extent do contemporary issues challenge the principles of liberalism The Viability of...
To what extent do contemporary issues challenge the principles of liberalism
The Viability of Contemporary Liberalism
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 280-283 Neo-conservatism 284-286 Religious perspectives 287-293 Aboriginal collective thought 294-296 Aboriginal experiences of liberalism in Canada
304-316 Imposing liberalism for self-interest 319-321 Imposing Liberalism for Humanitarian reasons
321-324 Authoritarianism 327 -366 Authoritarian Political Systems 357-361
THE VIABILITY OF LIBERALISM
How do some contemporary issues raise questions about the viability of liberalism?
Modernism defined NOTES
Modernism defined NOTES
OriginsDeveloped during the Enlightenment periodUses science an rationality to establish an organized society.
Postmodernism NOTES
ConceptsScience 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.
Modernism defined NOTES
OriginsDeveloped during the Enlightenment periodUses science an rationality to establish an organized society.
Postmodernism NOTES
ConceptsScience 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)
With no shared understanding of an absolute values or a belief system it is difficult for postmodernists to have:
Used to refer to individuals in a pejorative way.
A belief system that is outside mainstream views.
Weakness Postmodernism
Extremism
Notes
Weakness Postmodernism
Extremism NOTES
Extremist views can progress in two directions.
They can become socially accepted over time:
They can become socially intolerable:
Extremist views can progress in two directions. NOTES
Extremist Threats to liberal democracies NOTES
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
Economic extremism
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. 12-5 & 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 & how to prioritize those choices.
Addressing consumerism
Provincial recycling fee (tax) on new electronic devices.
3. 5 million Albertans -- 100,000 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 LiberalismUnanticipated Consequences of Liberalism
Unanticipated Consequences of economic freedom and development (complete chart on 1st page of worksheet page of 418-427)
Contemporary Issues and LiberalismUnanticipated 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 419-427
Kyoto Protocol
worksheet for pages 418-427 To date the United States has yet to
ratify agreement why might the USA be so reluctant to do so?
Germany: Nuclear power plants to close by 2022
Germany's coalition government has announced a reversal of policy that will see all the country's nuclear power plants phased out by 2022.
There have been mass anti-nuclear protests across Germany in the wake of March's Fukushima crisis, triggered by an earthquake and tsunami.
Contemporary Issues and LiberalismChina and India 21st Century
Economic reforms have been quick.
Traditional Low wage
manufacturing and exporting sectors
More deliberate Colonization Well educated
and English speaking labour force.
Focus on service industry.
China India
Issues with economic success
Both have limited land – loss of agricultural land Loss of traditional values and cultural Exploitation of workers 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.
Battery factories across China have been closed amid fears about poisoning from metals used by the industry 30 May 2011
The rechargeable lead batteries are used in scooters, cars and some mobile phones.
Increased demand for electric scooters alongside higher car production has driven up the demand for lead batteries.
Top 10 polluted cites
Sukinda, India Linfen, China Tianying, China Vapi, India La Oroya, Peru Dzerzhinsk, Russia Norilsk, Russia Chernobyl, Ukraine Sumgayit, Azerbaijan Kabwe, Zambia
Pandemics / Dangerous VirusesChallenges 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
SARSGovernment 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