POLI -103 Contemporary political ideologies

Maryanne Cliche Mcliche@coquitlamcollege.com

PLAN FOR TODAY

• 1. RECAP • 2. DIVING DEEPER INTO LIBERALISM • 2a) Liberalism divided • 2b) Key Features • 2c) Challenges

• 3. HOMEWORK

HOMEWORK

1- Read Chapter 3 of your textbook and review all the resources on C4.

2- Watch the video – What is a Liberal on C4.

3- Answer the questions;

A) Why and when Liberalism emerged as an ideology?

B) Name 2 thinkers associated with Liberalism and name one of the the concept that each advocated for. (use the textbook to support your research)

4- Copy the definition of these words in your notebook : 1- Renaissance, 2-Rational, 3-Mercantilism, 4-Capitlalism, 5-Middle Ages

RECAP

Liber (Latin) = Liberty

Liber, Liberty, Liberal

– LIBERALISM

DEFINITION – LIBERALISM

Liber (Latin) = Liberty

Liber, Liberty, Liberal

DEFINITION

• “Liberalism, is a political doctrine that takes protecting and enhancing the freedom of the individual to be the central problem of politics.

• Liberals typically believe that government is necessary to protect individuals from being harmed by others, but they also recognize that government itself can pose a threat to liberty.”

Source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/liberalis m

LIBERALISM ON HUMAN NATURE

1.Rational 2. Self-motivated 3. Competitive

LIBERALISM ON FREEDOM

V

TO LIVE AS ONE CHOOSES

AGENT OBSTACLE

GOAL

THE INDIVIDUAL LAWS, CUSTOMS, ETC.

SUMMARY- LIBERALISM ON HUMAN NATURE &

FREEDOM

Individual liberty +

Equality of opportunity

Within a Tolerant Society

Middle Ages 5th – 15th century

Liberalism in reaction to ; religious conformity and ascribed status

In search of ; liberty and equality of opportunity

ORIGINS

LIBERALISM- ORIGINS

Renaissance 14th -17th century The Protestant Reformation -1521

American War of Independence 1776 French revolution 1789-1799

Early Liberal thinkers

Thomas Hobbes John Locke

Modern Liberal thinkers

Adam Smith John Stuart Mills

Mercantilism & Capitalism

Liberalism in the 19th century

Liberalism in the 19th century

LIBERALISM DIVIDED

LIBERALISM DIVIDED- EXPLAINED

1. Neoclassical Liberalism

2. Welfare Liberalism

LIBERALISM DIVIDED

1.Neoclassical Liberalism’s main premises;

Government should be as small as possible

Government is a necessary evil

Government should not interfere as much as possible

2. Welfare Liberalism’s main premises;

Government, if properly directed, should interfere

Government can be a positive force in promoting liberty

Government should interfere to ensure that everyone enjoys an equal opportunity in life

1. Neoclassical Liberalism LIBERTY & EQUALITY

2. Welfare Liberalism EQUALITY & LIBERTY

LIBERALISM

The Neoclassical Liberalism

The Welfare Liberalism

KEY FEATURES OF LIBERALISM

1. Started as a reaction to religious conformity and ascribed status

2. Promotes individualism, liberty and equality

3. Internal debates about the role of the government

KEY FEATURES – LIBERALISM AND THE 4 FUNCTIONS

4 Functions of Ideologies

1- Explanation

4 Functions & Liberalism

1- Explanation

= Individual choices ultimately always explain why things are as they are.

2- Evaluation

4 Functions & Liberalism

2- Evaluation = Conditions are good if the individual is free to do as he or she wishes without harming or violating the rights of others.

4 Functions & Liberalism

3- Orientation

4 Functions & Liberalism

3- Orientation = The sense of identity is based on the individual, not the group.

4 Functions& Liberalism

4- Political Program

4 Functions & Liberalism

4- Political Program

= Political programs that support individual liberty and equal opportunity.

KEY FEATURES- LIBERALISM ON DEMOCRACY

KEY FEATURES- LIBERALISM ON DEMOCRACY

Equality among human beings

Accountability of the government

Emphasis on the importance of individual rights and liberty

CHALLENGES/ CRITICS

CHALLENGES/CRITICS

1. Does liberalism gives too much attention to the individual as opposed to the group?

CHALLENGES/CRITICS

2. How to decide on what is define as private matters?

CHALLENGES/CRITICS

3. Are principles such as equality and freedom achieved for every member of the community?

CHALLENGES/CRITICS

4. How far should the concepts of liberty and tolerance go?

DO NO HARM – EXPLAINED

CHALLENGES/CRITICS

5. How far should the disengagement of the government go? Should it interfere or not in times of crisis?

CHALLENGES/CRITICS

6. Should financial contributions and the influence of money on politics be limited, monitored and controlled? How so?

CHALLENGES/CRITICS 1. Does liberalism gives too much attention to the individual

as opposed to the group?

2. How to decide on what is define as private matters?

3. Are principles such as equality and freedom achieved for every member of the community?

4. How far should the concepts of liberty and tolerance go?

5. How far should the disengagement of the government go? Should it interfere or not in times of crisis?

6. Should financial contributions and the influence of money on politics be limited, monitored and controlled? How so?

HOMEWORK

1- Read Chapter 3 of your textbook

2-Review the challenges of Liberalism, name and explain one challenge using one example to support your argument (use the textbook to support your research).

3- Review all the resources on C4.

4- Copy the definition of these words in your notebook:

1-Individualism 2-Tolerance

3-Neoclassical Liberalism

4-Welfare Liberalism

5-Liberty

6-Equality

5- Review the political platform of the Liberal party of Canada. Name and explain 2 political actions that are in line with Liberalism and explain A- Which branch it relates to and B-Why.