Socialism as a Response to Classical Liberalism Social

Socialism as a Response to Classical Liberalism Social 30 -2 Mr. Gieringer

/Developed Socialism in the early 19 th century as a response to the declining social and economic conditions of the working class during the Industrial Revolution /Felt these issues could be addressed by encouraging government involvement in the economy. /Felt it would increase the distribution of wealth.

Difference Between Socialism and Classical Liberalism /Although Socialism embraced the concepts of human rights and democratic government, they also embraced collectivist aspects. Collective Responsibility / Collective Interest / Co-operation / Economic Equality / Adherence to Collective Norms / And Public Property /

Socialism vs. Classical Liberalism /Lets take a look at the charts on page 147 in your book, comparing Socialism and Classical Liberalism.

Early Democratic Socialism /Believed that Modern Liberalism did not provide the type of government intervention that would address the collective interests of society. / Believed that political, economic, and social change could be achieved without revolution… as opposed to Marx. / Believed that things could be changed through democratic processes. Such as elections, and reforms.

Early Democratic Socialism /Embraced Liberalist views such as democracy, freedom, and individual rights. However, / Believed Capitalism infringed upon the rights of the workers to being truly free.

Early Democratic Socialism /Solution? /Greater government involvement in the affairs of society. /Social Programs /I. e. - unemployment insurance, health care, education, and child care.

Socialism /Marxism and Communism /Utopian Socialism /Democratic Socialism

Democratic Socialism in Canada /Western Canada’s impact on the country’s social welfare programs. / Many of the country’s social welfare programs that exist in Canada, originated in Western Canada. Programs that many of you will likely come in contact with. / Such as: /Student Loans /EI /Child-Care Initiatives /CPP /Minimum Wage /Universal Health Care

The Great Depression /1920’s /A and 1930’s period of harsh economic conditions. /People once again question the validity of Classical Liberalism.

The Great Depression /October Tuesday” 29, 1929 “Black /Crash in stock market prices in New York City. Hit all around the world. /Canada, /Companies go bankrupt, /Investors lose all their money, /And unemployment reaches 27%.

The Great Depression /Slowly, Socialism and the idea of government intervention becomes more appealing. / More and more of the population began to look towards the government to stop the bleeding.

Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) / Founded in 1932, in Calgary, AB. / Prairies were hit particularly hard, because of the impacts of an illtimed drought. / People were forced to abandon their homes, and search for work where they could find it.

/J. S Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) Woodworth, first party President /Regina Manifesto /Shelters for the jobless and homeless /Job creation programs /Pensions for those who had worked their whole lifetime but could not be cared for by their impoverished children. /Health services that would be subsidized by the government so that people could get medical help for a fraction of the normal cost.

Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) /Tommy Douglas, elected Premier of Saskatchewan / Created Canada’s form of Universal Healthcare / CCF eventually became the NDP, which is still around today.

Socialism in Quebec /Post World War 2 /Maurice Duplessis, Premier of Quebec /Strongly anticommunist, /Strongly anti-union, /Supported Quebec independence from Canada, /However…

Socialism in Quebec /Government involvement in the economy /Public works projects /Highways /Schools /Hospitals

Socialism in Quebec /The struggle to separate from Canada was a driving force for these groups. / The Canadian Government was seen as an oppressive force, in which revolution was needed to break free from. / I. e. - Group Marxiste Revolutionnaire

Parti Quebecois / Rene Levesque, Quebec Separatist Leader Public Insurance Program / Pharmacare (cheap medication) / Child Care System / Parental Leave Program / / Today, Bloc Quebecois

Question? /How come Socialist parties had such a huge influence in Western Canada in the early 20 th century, but that’s not the case today? …