1 / 12

Contemporary Liberalism

Contemporary Liberalism. POSC 150 Introduction to Political Theory Braunwarth. Classical Liberalism. Liberalism: Remove obstacles that block development of individuals In past, meant limiting government so can live, worship, compete in mkt, etc.

elina
Télécharger la présentation

Contemporary Liberalism

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Contemporary Liberalism POSC 150Introduction to Political Theory Braunwarth

  2. Classical Liberalism • Liberalism: Remove obstacles that block development of individuals • In past, meant limiting government so can live, worship, compete in mkt, etc. • Negative Liberty - Individual Free to do what they want • Absence of Restraint (Religious Conformity, Ascribed Status)

  3. Government as a Positive force • By 1800s largely accomplished • T.H. Green (1836-1882) Oxford Prof. • Time to recognize other obstacles to freedom and opportunity • Poverty, Illness, Prejudice, Ignorance • Positive Liberty - Individual has freedom of choices • Government should establish schools, hospitals, aid for need, regulate working conditions

  4. Economic Concerns Unrestricted/Free/Uncontrolled Markets: • lead to business cycles and economic instability • lead to monopolies • Create Externalities (pollution) that harm public welfare • Don’t provide Public Goods • Don’t account for those left out of market (young, old, disabled)

  5. Need to Regulate the Economy • Government should regulate the economy and protect people from its vagaries • Liberals regard economic competition as a good thing • Welfare State originally instituted to take the wind out of socialism • very non-liberal Otto von Bismark “Iron Chancellor” of Germany • Coincided with expansion of voting rights

  6. Human Nature • No Fixed Human Nature • We all have the capacity for reason • Can make our own choices to fulfill goals • Social Pluralism: Society consists of different people working together and is important to have contact with others • Despite differences, we are intrinsically equal

  7. Liberalism in the 20th Century Faith in Individual Competition shaken by Great Depression of 1930s • Many turned to Communism/Fascism • Response in U.S. was the Welfare State Keynesian Economics • John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946) • Governments use tax and spend powers to slow or stimulate economy

  8. 1960s • Promises of Liberty and Equality still unfulfilled for many • Civil Rights Movement • Johnson’s “War on Poverty” • New Left - Government support economic interests and corporations while citizens reduced to consumers (Marcuse)

  9. Liberalism Today • Still a Revolutionary Force in some parts of the world • Where do we find ascribed status, religious conformity, political absolutism? • Islamic Fundamentalists, former Communist Countries, Developing World

  10. How far should Liberalism Go? • Mills’ Harm Principle • “Victimless” Crimes: Prostitution, Pornography, Gambling, etc.? • Consenting Adults, but Exploitive • Outlaw Discrimination on basis of race, religion, gender, etc. • Affirmative Action to give special consideration to those who suffer discrimination? • What about financially disadvantaged?

  11. Communitarian Critique • Need to Balance Rights with Responsibilities • Common Good in addition to “Me First” • JFK’s “…ask what you can do for your country” • Clinton’s National Service Program • CSL projects on campus

  12. Is Liberalism Dead? • 1980’s used as a derogatory slur • Perhaps not dead, but has been so successful, less places to go • Racism/Discrimination • Market Regulation • Starvation Poverty less of a problem • But free market still largely unable to deal with poverty

More Related