Modern Challenges to Liberalism Classical liberalism vs Modern

Modern Challenges to Liberalism • Classical liberalism vs. Modern liberalism • Negative vs. Positive freedoms • Environmentalism • Neo-Conservatism • Religion • Aboriginal Collective thought

Classical vs. Modern Liberalism (274) Classical • No govt interference • Govt to protect life, liberty & property • Emphasizes economic freedom & role of entrepreneur • Great Depression • Wealth Gap between developed/less developed nations • Rise of alternative ideologies such as communism & fascism Modern • Significant govt intervention • All individuals valued equally • Emphasizes programs to help the disadvantaged • Promotes ideas to share the benefits of development

Negative vs. Positive Freedoms (27578) Negative Freedoms • Individuals free to make choices • Equality of opportunity • ‘Freedom from’ government interference Positive Freedoms • ‘Freedom to’ make choices • Government provides supports to help ensure equality of outcome, not just opportunity* *To a certain extent – real equality of outcome is socialism or communism

Liberalism Evolves (280) • Environmentalism – Rise of Greenpeace & the Friends of the Earth – Climate change & Canada – breaking news! – Greenpeace victories: • • Ban on weapons tests UN ban on driftnet fishing Ban on toxic waste dumping Agreement to stop using toxic chemicals in computers – Environmental protection recognized in: • UN agreements • Quebec Charter of Rights • Rejected by free market economists • Free market economists rejected by Worldwatch Institute – Pooheads! Need less stuff, not more!

Liberalism still evolving. . . (282) Canada & the Carbon Tax • Emission reduction targets • Cap & Trade – buy & sell credits • Carbon Tax (with income tax reductions) • Combos (no fries, please!)

More Evolution. . . maybe (284) Neo-Conservatism • Reaction to civil rights movement & affirmative action • Fight the commies, don’t talk to them! • Fuelled by Thatcher (British PM) and Reagan (US President) during the 80 s. • Project for the New American Century – Neo-conservatism lives! • Economically like classical liberals – more or less (public vs. private schools) • Hallelujah – here comes the Christian Right. . .

Good-bye Freedom, Hello Jesus (290) • Many neo-conservatives (not all) also members of the Christian Right, which favours: – Banning abortion – Banning gay marriage – Banning violence & sex on TV & video – Allowing prayer (Christian) in public schools – Teaching creationism in science class

Aboriginal Collective Thought (294) • Tends to place more emphasis on the collective, not the individual • Defines progress differently – tradition & continuity are important • Emphasizes egalitarianism Nunavut Government • Consensus government – no political parties • Role of elders important Aboriginal Justice • Sentencing circles – combating perceived bias – Restorative rather than punitive