Chapter 8 Contemporary Challenges to Liberalism

• Historical Environmentalism: As an ideology, gained widespread support in the 1960s. 1970s: greenpeace and Friends of the earth successfully lobbied governments to enact laws to protect the environment. Banning certain types of nuclear testing, dumping of toxic chemicals in computer products.  
• Historical Environmentalism:  Environmentalists are critical of many human economic activities. However, Free market economists and global warming skeptics claims that environmental reform of the economy will do more harm than good 
• Environmentalism Today: How the Green Party - and the other parties in Canada - address Canadians’ growing concerns about the environment -and the impact of these policies on the Canadian economy - has become a major issue for many Canadians. A major political debate is about carbon tax. Even though there are major consumer and business implications, the tax is prominent in political party platforms
• Aboriginal Collective Thought : Several key aboriginal policies challenge modern liberalism: 

  • The importance of the collective 
  • Aboriginal traditions provide a different interpretation of progress than that of liberalism 
  • Traditions and continuity are important (importance of elders and their wisdom); group needs are more important than individual needs 
  • Aboriginal Justice: Sentencing Circles 
• Neo-Conservatism: Emerged in the US in the 1960s as a reaction against modern liberal principles that were believed to have been taken “to far”. Gained support in the 1980s under the leadership of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan 
• What is Neo-Conservatism? Some aspects challenge modern liberal principles and favor a return to certain classical liberal values. Other aspects challenge both classical and modern liberal principles and favor “family values”, often resting on outdated religious foundations. 
• Neo-Conservative Economic Policy: Resembles classical liberal laissez-faire economic policy. Economic growth can be stimulated by cutting taxes; lower taxes create conditions that provide everyone with the opportunity to prosper.
• Non-Conservative Economic Policy - Government involvement in economic markets should be limited. Promoted by Friedman and embraced by Reagan and Thatcher 
• Neo-Conservation and the Role of Government: Prefer alternative ways to deliver services currently provided by many governments. Challenges modern liberals who believe that government should provide most essential services, such as education and health
• Neo-Conservation and the role of government: Classical Liberals want to minimize government intervention but do believe that the government should be responsible for such things such as education. Neocons want government to be as small as possible 
• Example of Neo-Conservative Influence: 

  • Private Schools 
  • Privatizing state owned industries 
  • Decreasing taxes 
  • Reducing government programs related to health, employment, education and social security
  • Individualism over collectivism
• Neo-Conservatism and Foreign Policy : An area of “common ground” for neo conservatives. Patriotism is good and should be encouraged. World Government is not a good idea; it would lead to tyranny
• Neo-Conservatism and Foreign Policy: A large country has interests that extend beyond its own borders and therefore needs a large military. Democratic capitalism is the most preferred system and should be internationally supported (decision to invade Iraq partially based on this idea.)
• Neo Conservatives and Morality: Have traditional view on social issues. Concerned about “The end of traditional moral culture”. Suspicious of countercultures 
• Neo Conservatives and Morality: Influenced by the Christian Right and seek to:

  • Put an end to abortion rights 
  • Allow prayer in Schools 
  • Promote teachings of creationism in science classes 
  • Challenges both classical and modern liberalism as both view religion as being a private matter
• Religious Perspectives: A wide range of religious perspectives exist. Some people believe that the needs of the community should be placed above those of individuals. Ex. Doukhobors (communitarians; did not recognize secular governments), Hutterites 
• Government Limitations of Religious Practices: Freedom of religion is a central value of liberalism however, governments sometimes place limits on  religious practices to prevent them from conflicting with the rights of individual members of a religious community 
• Political Influence of the Christian Right: The Christian right is a group of conservative groups in the US (and other liberal democracies) that focus on applying specific Christian beliefs to public policy. Represent a challenge to modern liberalism; they believe that modern liberalism as straying from religious values and principles that they believe society should follow