Contemporary Challenges to Liberalism

To What Extent is Modern Liberalism Continuing to Evolve? Chapter 8 and Chapter 12 Contemporary Challenges to Liberalism Analyzing how modern liberalism is challenged by alternative thought

What would you write about if you imagined the world 50 or 100 years from now? • Would it be with the pessimism of Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four or Huxley’s Brave New World? • Would it be like The Little Prince where the author, Antoine de Saint-Exupery, creates new planets and asteroids to critique the behaviour of adults from a child’s point of view • What about Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, where society must gives up literature to suppress any ideas that might challenge its “happiness”? • Lowry’s The Giver, where individuals give up emotion and memories to create a more safe and peaceful society? • These authors challenge the different perspectives about how society should be organized • What would our society be like if our government outlawed books, or emotions, or ideas • How much individuality would you sacrifice to your government in the name of security? • How much would you allow government to be involved in your lives?

Classical Liberalism and Modern Liberalism Classical liberal principles originated in The Enlightenment, particularly with the writings of John Locke Natural and inalienable rights Society should be a community of political equals All respecting the rights of one another equally This is the rationale for modern democracy Main function of government: Protect individual natural rights: the rights to life, liberty, and property Laws created by government can be legitimized with the consent of the majority Creates a great deal of freedom and ensures less control over individuals by the government How far has liberalism strayed from its roots?

Review Of Classical Liberalism • 18th and 19th centuries technological advances led to the Industrial Revolution in England • Members of Parliament put the ideas of classical liberalism into practice to take advantage of the economic opportunities • Industrial productivity and incredible wealth led to large disparities between the rich – entrepreneurs and landowners – and those living in poverty • This disparity led to challenges to classical liberalism • Classical liberalism evolved and expanded to modern liberal ideas; such as education, health care, etc.

Classical Liberalism Effects Modern Liberalism • contributed to the Great Depression • Contributed to the wealth gap between the more developed world and the rest of the world, thus leading to such things as political instability and hyper-consumerism • Contributed to the development of counter-ideologies, such as communism and fascism, and the expansion and revision of liberal ideas • involves no government • interference (hands off) • proposes that the sole function of government is to protect individuals’ natural rights to life, liberty, and properly • emphasizes economic liberalism and promotes the freedom of the entrepreneur • involves significant government intervention (hands on) • Proposes that all individuals be valued equally • Proposes the development of programs to help disadvantaged individuals and eliminate the causes of poverty, crime, and abuse • Promotes initiatives to share the benefits of development and to develop wisely

Classical Liberalism and Negative Freedoms • Principles of classical liberalism centre around individuals should be free to make choices • Called “negative freedom” or “freedom from” The tragic events of September 11 highlight the ethical import of what are sometimes called“negative freedoms”; freedom from tyranny, freedom from fear, freedom from hunger, and freedom from discrimination based upon race, color, or creed. A pluralistic and open society requires agreements about the worth and dignity of citizens in order for those citizens to be free from coercions and constraints that would prevent their ability to live in sufficient safety and freedom to carve out their ability to live in sufficient safety and freedom to carve out their own lives and the lives of their families and communities.

Classical Liberalism and Negative Freedoms • In classical liberalism this meant little more than freedom from government intervention • Liberal democracies, such as Canada, possess these negative freedoms • Classical Liberalism – • Each man has equal political power • Greater political stability would result from greater direct involvement in the political process • Political stability leads to a society that allows individuals to use their freedoms as best they can to achieve social and economic prosperity • Are the negative freedoms outlined previously sufficient to ensure the well-being of all members of society?

Classical Liberalism and Economics • 19th century a period of significant economic growth due, in large part, to the Industrial Revolution • Coincided with the formation of classical liberal economic theory – laissez-faire economics • Supported free markets and individual rights to own private property • Economic markets with little or no gov’t intervention – benefit all members of society • Government limited to do what they do best • Developing laws to protect freedoms and private property • Some classical liberals do not trust popular democracy – fear the majority might not support classical liberal principles – ie. Possession of private property

Classical Liberalism and Equality • A certain amount of inequality is a natural result of protecting property rights and guaranteeing freedoms • The equality valued by classical liberals is the equality of opportunity • State remains impartial, allowing citizens to determine their own ideas of good without interference or coercion • All forms of diversity are accepted • Diverse outcomes based on the choices people make, as long as those choices do not violate the rights of others

Enfranchisement Brings Transformation • Late 19th century, vote was given to a wider group of citizens • As more working class citizens got he vote, politicians had to promise to introduce policies that met the workers’ needs – labour law; workplace safety; labour unions • 20th century further evolution • Sought to promote equality • Greater gov’t intervention was encouraged by progressives: • World War I and II • The Great Depression • Exclusions of minorities from voting and positions of power • Change from rural, agrarian society to urban, manufacturing society • Challenges and Change – Liberalism Evolves • People will make the choices that are best for them, when free • Free of gov’t intervention • The market would spread wealth to those making wise decisions • What if prosperity is not fulfilled? • Great wealth created during the Industrial Revolution – transition from mercantilism, a system where the state accumulated wealth • Wealth concentrated in the hands of a small number of society’s elite • Most people remained poorly fed, poorly housed, poorly educated, with a short life expectancy • Laissez-faire economics believed problems would correct itself without gov’t interference

Classical Liberalism Modern Liberalism • Progressives (shifting to modern liberal ideas) believed certain conditions prevented all members from achieving equality • Gov’t intervention was essential for all to achieve equality, not just opportunity – this is what positive freedoms are all about • Taxes for social programs (welfare) for those in need • Any limit placed on freedoms of an individual is justified if it benefited all of society • UN Declaration of Human Rights includes positive freedoms – What limitations to liberty would the following rights may impose on some people? Negative Freedoms Example: Freedom from persecution for following a chosen faith or spirituality Positive Freedoms Example: Freedom of/to Expression Modern Liberalism and Positive Freedoms Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. Article 25.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights United Nations, 1948

Classical Liberalism Modern Liberalism • Modern liberals argue that the ability to exercise one’s right to freedom depends on the existence of certain conditions • You cannot be free if your basic needs are not met, if oppressed by unfair practices, or if subject to discrimination • To ensure freedom gov’t intervention is encouraged, socially and politically • Increased gov’t intervention could result in tyranny, modern liberalism calls for broader social protection and guarantees of civil liberties and equal rights – including a more open and transparent gov’t • Civil liberties – the means by which modern liberals seek to maintain dignity and fair treatment for all. • Seek to ensure greater equality of opportunity through positive rights, right to education, health care, or legal aid. Modern Liberalism and Positive Freedoms Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. Article 25.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights United Nations, 1948

Liberalism Evolves: How is modern liberalism challenged by alternative thought? • Ideologies differ on: • Interpretations of history • Beliefs about human nature • Beliefs about the structure of society • Visions for the future • Environmentalism • Neo-Conservatism • Religious Perspectives • Post Modernism • Extremism • Aboriginal Perspectives All of the above contributed to the evolution of modern liberalism and challenged the dominant influence of liberal thought on Western society • You will need to keep the above themes in mind when we consider the challenges and contributions of the evolution of modern liberal thought

Environmentalism • Roots in the 1800s • As a political/cultural ideology in the 60s, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1962) – pesticides entering the food chain, negative effects on animals and human beings • 1970s – Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, pressured gov’ts to enact laws to protect the environment • France and USA ban certain types of nuclear tests • 80s – 90s UM banned driftnet fishing • Countries banned dumping toxic waste into the oceans • Computer manufacturers have agreed to stop using certain toxic materials in their products • Has led to some political bodies to enshrine the right to a healthy environment alongside the principles of modern liberalism • UN Int’l Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights “the right to everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.” Improving “all aspects of environmental and industrial hygiene” • Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, everyone “has the right to live in a healthful environment in which biodiversity is preserved, to the extent and according to the standards provided by law.”

Environmentalism • Today – negative impact of human activity • Free-market economists and skeptics of global warming claim environmental reform of the economy will do more harm than good …’the state of humanity has never been better,’ says Mr. Goklany in his book, published by Cato Institute, backing his claims with detailed findings that show rapid advancement in hundreds of indicators for people all over the world. The conditions that created the great improvements – in health, environment, living standards, mortality, disease control, smog reduction, and human happiness – are the very same conditions the Financial Post has typically advocated over a century: growth, technological change, free trade in products and ideas, market forces and personal freedom. …The carbon and chemical economies that green salvationists want to curtail, even eliminate, are in fact the very basis for the world’s current and improving conditions. The message in Mr. Goklany’s book is that government policy must, above all, preserve the general conditions that have brought us to this state of achievement, not destroy them. -Terance Corcoran, “Good sense to prevail over enviro-alarmism,” 2007

Environmentalism • On the other side of the debate Worldwatch Institute’s 2004 annual report “Richer, Fatter, and Not Much Happier.” Higher levels of obesity and personal debt, chronic time shortages, and a degraded environment are all signs that excessive consumption is diminishing the quality of life for many people. The challenge now is to mobilize governments, businesses, and citizens to shift their focus away from the unrestrained accumulation of goods and toward finding ways to ensure a better life for all. Worldwatch Institute, “Richer, Fatter, and Not Much Happier” 2004 Institute advocates: • Increasing taxes on on manufacturers, • minimizing the impact of production on natural resources through government regulation

Canada and Carbon Tax • Due to scientific research, extreme weather events, increasing global temperatures – the environment has become an important part of most political parties’ platforms • Carbon emissions reduction have become key political points • How will political parties deal with the environment and still have economic growth, and have the least effect on the citizen’s pocketbook • 2008 Federal Election • Conservative: proposed emission reduction targets for industry and caps on specific pollutants • NDP: based on “cap and Trade” – overall pollution would be limited by the gov’t, those industries below the target would receive credits they could sell to other companies • Liberals: cap and trade system with a carbon tax on each tonne of carbon emissions • Greens: carbon tax and cap system, and carbon tax

Canada and Carbon Tax • Sept 2008, Sierra Club of Canada – volunteer environmental org. graded the political parties: • Greens A- • Liberals B+ • NDP B • Conservatives F+ • To what extent should the Canadian government implement policies based on citizens’ concerns about the environment? • July 1, 2008 BC began to phase in a provincial carbon tax • Designed to discourage the use of fossil fuels and thereby reduce carbon emissions • 72% of Canadians felt BC’s carbon tax was a positive step

Balancing Environmentalism and Economics • A discussion about the welcoming development of India. The Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, describes itself as “an institution that creates a conducive, enabling climate for Indian businesses to pursue sustainability goals.” India’s new trajectory of high economic growth is a welcome development, providing the wherewithal to secure progressively higher standards of living. For such rapid growth to be sustainable it is imperative to include those living at the margin as meaningful participants in the economic process and preserve the capacity of the natural ecosystem to support growth aspirations. I believe that Indian Business needs to enlarge its contribution beyond its primary role of enhancing economic capital, towards also enhancing social capital and natural capital. Y.C. Deveshwar, Chairman, • Does Deveshwar’s point of view reflect classical liberal or modern liberal ideology? • What might be the consequences of adopting Deveshwar’s point of view? What might be the consequences of rejecting his point of view? • Should governments limit our individual freedom as consumers in society?

Neo-Conservatism • “When two neo-conservatives meet they are more likely to argue with one another than to confer or conspire.” Irving Kristol, 2003 • Many are former liberals – where liberal policies have failed • Some aspects of neo-conservatism challenge modern liberal principles and favour a return to classical liberalism • Other neo-conservatives challenge both classical and modern liberalism

Neo-Conservatism • Emerged in the US during the 50s & 60s against modern liberal principles that had gone too far • Civil Rights Movement • Affirmative action – (ideals of equality and individualism) • Détente between the USSR and USA (60s & 70s) seen as a period of weak foreign policy – Neo-Cons rallied against diplomacy in favour of actively promoting capitalism and democracy abroad and fighting against the spread of communism • Grew in popularity in the 1980s – reflected in the economic, social, and foreign policies of the US with Ronald Reagan and British PM Margaret Thatcher • Cold War heated up – massive military spending around the world • With the collapse of the USSR in the 1980s, Neo-Cons felt that they had won the Cold War • Support began to fall during the 90s with George H W Bush and Bill Clinton’s reduction in military spending

Neo-Conservatism • 1997, Project for the New American Century (PNAC) • To advocate increasing defense spending • Promoting democracy and capitalism abroad • Strengthening America’s ties to democratic allies • Challenging other governments that are “hostile to American interests and values” http://newamericancentury.org/statementofprinciples.htm • Many of George W Bush’s administration were PNAC members • After 911 the policy of promoting democracy abroad was adopted by the White House

Neo-Conservatism Economic Policy • Economic growth stimulated by cutting taxes • Government involvement in economic markets should be limited • Lower taxes in a free market to create conditions that resemble classical liberal economic policy • Evidence of Int’l influence • WTO – World Trade organization • IMF – International Monetary Fund • Promote free trade, reducing tariffs, concessions, regulations regarding government involvement • Milton Friedman promoted classical liberal policies – minimizing gov’t involvement in the economy and reducing gov’t regulation of all kinds • Opposed gov’t programs – public education, public health, public housing

Neo-Conservatism and the Role of Government • Not comfortable with large amount of services provided by modern gov’t – prefer alternative ways of providing services – they do believe in education • Modern liberals generally believe the gov’t should provide most essential services, health care and education • Neo-conservative – private schools, free from many of the rules, regulations and gov’t controls • US 23 % schools are private, 4% in Alberta, 10% in Quebec “For more than three decades, Friedman and his powerful followers had been perfecting this very strategy: waiting for a major crisis, then selling off pieces of the state to private players while citizens were still reeling from the shock.” Naomi Klein, The Shock Doctrine, 2007

Neo-Conservatism and Foreign Policy Neo-Conservatism and Morality Foreign Policy common area for neo-conservatives Includes: • Patriotism is good and should be encouraged • World gov’t not a good idea, it will lead to tyranny • A large country’s interests extend beyond borders – requires a strong military • Democratic capitalism is the preferable system – and should be promoted internationally • One aspect of the decision to invade Iraq in 2003 • Have traditional views about social issues • Concerned about the demise of the traditional moral culture • Tend to be suspicious of counter-culture movements • Influenced by the Christian Right: • Curtailing abortion • Allowing prayer is school • Teaching creationism in science

Some well know Neo-Conservatives • Ralph Klein • George Bush • Ronald Reagan • Margaret Thatcher

Government Limitations on Religious Practices Frank McKenna , former NB premier and ambassador to the US, stated, ”Canada is truly a secular state. Religion and politics do not mix in this country.” Canwest News Service June 1, 2007 Freedom of religion a central value of liberalism Gov’t sometimes puts limits on religious practices to prevent them from conflicting with the rights of the individual members of a religious community

Toronto 2005 – Protests against Sharia law (Islamic law) being contemplated to settle family disputes • Critics argue Sharia law is incompatible with the Canadian legal system • Doesn’t treat men and women equally when it comes to marriage, divorce, and inheritance • Ontario had allowed faith-based arbitration by other religious communities • Ontario has allowed Catholic and Jewish faith-based tribunals to settle family law matters on a voluntary basis since 1991, but the practice got little attention until Muslim leaders demanded the same rights. CBC 2005 • There will be no religious arbitration in Ontario. There will be one law for all Ontarians. CTV, 2005 • To what extent should a government impose liberal principles on religious minority groups?

Christian Right members generally Modern Liberals generally • Support the rights of the unborn • Believe families with heterosexual, married parents create the best environment for children • Support legislation against the use of overt sexual or violent content in television, movies, the Internet, and music • Believe that religion has a place in publicly funded institutions, for example, that prayer should be allowed in public schools • Focus on the need for individuals to take responsibility for their own actions and fulfill their responsibilities as community members • Supports a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion as protected by existing abortion laws • Favour equal rights for people of al sexual orientations, including their right to marry, and believe that all people equally have the right to parenthood • Support the freedom to create and distribute any material that does not infringe on the rights of others and the others and the right for adults to choose the content to which they are exposed • Support secular (non-faith-based) policies and practices in publicly funded institutions • Focus on the need for unequal opportunities in society to be balanced through government intervention, such as affirmative action programs

Placing the Community Above the Individual • Can you imagine a situation in which the practices of communitarian groups such as the Doukhobors might conflict with the rights of an individual in one of these communities? • Can you imagine a situation in which these practices might conflict with the values of the larger community? Doukhobors immigrated to Canada from Russia in19th century • Believed in communitarianism –owned and worked the land together • Did not recognize the authority of the secular (non-religious) gov’t, would not swear an oath to the Cdn gov’t • Homestead land grants were taken away • Hutterites also practice communal land ownership • The emphasis such religious communities place on the community differs from the classical liberal concept of the individual as the basis of law and order

Post Modernism • This philosophy is a response to the modernism of western democracies • They believe that the West’s claims of freedom and prosperity continue to be nothing more than empty promises and have not met the needs of humanity • Postmodernists are typically atheistic or agnostic and challenge the core religious and capitalistic values of the Western world and seek change for a new age of liberty within a global community • They believe that there isn’t such a thing as absolute truth - therefore, no one has the authority to define truth or impose upon others his idea of moral right and wrong • Many are naturalists including humanitarians, environmentalists, and philosophers

From Modernism to Postmodernism • Science provides universal and eternal 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 • No set of moral or political ideas that can dominate cultural, ethnic, and gender differences • Skepticism about modern liberal idea that society can be “improved” • Critique of the nature of knowledge: it is relative to linguistic, social and historical contexts • Concern for issues of gender, race, and other parts of culture previously marginalized Principles of Modernism Recurrent Themes in Postmodernism

Postmodern Challenge • If we claim that there are no universal truths that transcend cultural boundaries and traditions, how can we expect all members of society to adhere to a dominant set of (liberal) principles?

Weakness of Postmodernism • Relativism- the absence of any absolute standards that make a common shared understanding of citizenship and of common aspirations for a good life possible Wendy Butler Ryley School BRSD

Responding to the Criticisms of Postmodernism • 1. Standards can be agreed upon! - Although they may be changed over time, citizens can use the principles of equality and personal freedom as guidelines. • 2. Post modernists MIGHT support the principles of equality and the worth of the individual.……All would therefore agree that anything that denigrates or harms an individual signals a negative presence • The Post Modernist Critique is useful.It asks modern liberals to:- keep thinking-keep options open-not fall into the trap of certainty

Extremism • Extremism is a term used to describe the actions or ideologies of individuals or groups outside the perceived political center of a society or otherwise claimed to violate common moral standards • It is basically those people that are looking to make changes in a ways that lie outside of mainstream political/economic/social thinking. Can be based on a wide range of ideas: political, economic, racial, religious, environmental etc… ???

Extremism Continued…… • Sometimes the mainstream absorbs extremists views • Can you think of examples of individuals and collective rights that are now part of liberal democracies but were once considered extreme? • Women’s right to vote • Desegregation

Extremism and Intolerance • Extremism challenges liberal beliefs about the structure of society, interpretations of history, and even liberal visions of the future • Extremism challenges liberalism’s tolerance • For example: Freedom of expression is challenged when extremists profess intolerant views of other people

Economic Extremism • Extremism can characterize economic activities that are perceived to have adverse effects on a population • For examples: During the Cold War, the economic practices of communist countries were seen as extremist by the USA and some other Free Market countries • Many people view capitalist practices of western nations as extremist when they “exploit” developing nations for cheaper labor, resources or markets for western goods – ie countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh and Brazil

Aboriginal Collective Thought • Aboriginal societies place greater emphasis on the collective rather than on the individual • This thought process runs counter to the ideas of modern liberalism • Egalitarianism is emphasized in this mindset – all people are to be treated equally • In Nunavut – the gov’t uses traditional Inuit principles to guide its laws and policies • The gov’t blends parliamentary democracy with Aboriginal values of maximum cooperation, effective use of leadership resources and common accountability

Aboriginal Justice • Sentencing Circles – used to determine the sentence of an offender found guilty of a crime • Introduced due to the perceived bias in the Canadian justice system against natives • Involves a criminal judge, the offender, the victim and member of the community (including elders) • The group arrives at a sentence by consensus • This system is being adapted to operate within the Canadian justice system

Contemporary Challenges to Liberalism