The Viability of Liberalism

How do some contemporary issues raise

questions about the viability of

liberalism?

Post-modernism Ideological school of

thought that challenges liberalism

A movement that largely began as a reaction to modernism after the First and Second World Wars

‘Calls into question enlightenment values such as rationality, truth and progress arguing that these serve to secure modern capitalistic society by concealing or excluding any forces that might challenge its cultural dominance’ Michael Fegan

Period that follows modernism – art, literature and philosophy (largely in Western societies)

We are under a ‘veil of deceit’ hides alternative ways of thinking

Themes in post-modernist thinking There is no one set of

dominate political and moral ideas

Scepticism that there is progress and constant improvement in civilization

Knowledge is relative and open to questioning and interpretation

Many ways of knowing and perceiving the world – beyond the dominant views of liberal traditions

Etch-a-Sketch – French thinker Baudrillard ‘There is no true

reality in Western liberal culture. What we think of as reality is actually constructed for us by our culture and our media, and can be changed’

Just as the etch-a-sketch portrait can be changed, to create new versions of reality and truth.

Challenges to liberalism

The act of challenging liberal values makes way for post modernism

Postmodernism asks the questions that need to be asked in any functioning liberal democracy

It contains the seeds of its own destruction

Extremism Used to refer only to people in a

pejorative sense Those who are considered extremists by

others do not consider themselves to be extremists – depends on one’s point of view

Refers to a belief system that is outside the mainstream spectrum of beliefs

May advocate actions that are considered morally or socially unacceptable

Example: violent targeting of innocent civilians

Sometimes mainstream absorbs extremist views

Eco-terrorists – defending principle or act of extremism?

Al-Qaeda – supporters agree it’s extreme – but justified due to systemic injustice

JOHN CLEESE ON EXTREMISM: FUNNY

Extremism challenges liberalism Challenges liberal beliefs

accepted by the majority of the population

May create a response by government that limits the freedoms of society in general (FLQ - October Crisis 1970)

Challenge freedom of expression due to the nature of the comments made and actions taken by extremists

Economic forms: mass privatization, large cuts in spending, widespread government deregulation

Economic practices of communist countries during the Cold War were seen as extremist

What solutions to contemporary issues are supported by the principles of liberalism?Consumerism Figure 12-5 and 12-6 - Page 417 Promotes certain types of

consumption Widespread use of resources due

to personal choices and actions – pursuing self-interest

Principles of liberalism – create disparity?

Should liberal governments do something to address this disparity?

Recycling fees – TV’s and computers

Liberal solution: rethink choices and actions to alter impact on others

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ29DQvopZo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLBE5QAYXp8

Unanticipated consequences of Liberalism Colonization of Africa, Asia

and South America Consumers – greater access

of goods (bananas, coffee, chocolate, silk and cotton)

Cheap labour – China, Japan, Korea and Mexico

Increased choice/inequitable distribution

Former colonies – debt and poverty

Treatment of people in colonies did not reflect liberal principles

Created conditions that support violence, illiberalism and terrorism

Environmental change and activism GREENPEACE ON PARLIAMENT

HILLhttp://www.cbc.ca/thenational/

indepthanalysis/story/2009/12/08/national-theclimatequestion.html

Pressure for government intervention to reduce impact on the environment

Government policies and regulations to restrict individual control of resources

International agreements

Kyoto and CopenhagenKyoto Protocol Reduce carbon emissions International cooperation National interests Individuals and groups within

countries 1997 Agreement – example of

how liberal democracies approach climate change

Varying degrees of commitment

Canada did not take measures to respect its ratification – has made very little progress

Carbon tax? Cap and trade? Voices – Pages 426-427

Copenhagen Agreement

http://www.cbc.ca/thenational/indepthanalysis/story/2009/12/08/national-theclimatequestion.html

China and India: Rapid modernization http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-

3714131876553067182&ei=dQwjS_eZMIeYqAPhhrRG&q=growing+economies+china+and+india&hl=en#

China – manufacturing centre India – provides services (call

centres, data processing operations) SEZ’s – new infrastructure and no tax zones

Downside – loss of farmland and traditional ways of life, exploitation of workers, environmental issues

Pandemics Outbreak of disease on a

global scale Rapidly spreading disease

– borderless path of infection

Black plague, Avian Flu, SARS, H1N1

Limit travel? Restrict visitors? Limit immigration?

WHO – World Health Organization

Should individual freedom be restricted by governments in dealing with pandemics?