Modern Challenges to Liberalism

1. Modern Challenges to Liberalism • Classical liberalism vs. Modern liberalism • Negative vs. Positive freedoms • Environmentalism • Neo-Conservatism

2. The overarching theme of this chapter is that liberalism is not a static, unchangeable ideology. • Rather, it is an ideology that evolves—it is open to revision, reprioritization, and reassessment. • Historically this has been the case, and liberalism will likely continue to evolve, partly in response to challenges posed by alternative currents of thought.

3. Classical vs. Modern Liberalism (274) • Industrial Revolution • Great Depression • Wealth Gap of nations creating economic instability • Rise of alternative ideologies such as communism & fascism Classical (freedom) • No gov’t interference (hands off) • Govt to protect life, liberty & property • Emphasizes economic freedom & role of entrepreneur Modern • Significant gov’tintervention • All individuals valued equally • Emphasizes programs to help the disadvantaged • Promotes ideas to share the benefits of development

4. Negative vs. Positive Freedoms Negative Freedoms • Individuals free to make choices • Equality of opportunity • ‘Freedom from’ government interference PositiveFreedoms • ‘Freedom to’ make choices – Progressives • Government provides supports to help ensure equality of outcome, not just opportunity (Welfare)

5. Liberalism Evolves (280) • Environmentalism– protection of the environment has become ever more popular and powerful. • In recent decades, people have become increasingly aware and concerned about the impact that human activity has on the environment. • There is mounting evidence that pollutants are affecting the global climate.

6. Environmentalism runs counter to liberalism: • It seeks to place restrictions on the way people use or consume their own property. • It promotes government interference in the economy to protect the environment from abuse. • It is in many ways a collectivist ideology, since it places limits on personal freedoms in order to achieve a common goal. • Supporting the environment is a great goal however, environmentalism comes with economic and social costs that liberal societies have been reluctant to pay.

7. Liberalism still evolving. . .political platforms Canada & the Carbon Tax: • Emission reduction targets • Carbon Tax (with income tax reductions)

8. More Evolution. . .maybe Neo-Conservatism • Reaction to modern liberalism and how it fails to address contemporary political, social and economic realities. • Major influence is on foreign policy; it favours a proactive approach. • Was popular during the Cold War, and neoconservative politicians fully supported American interference in foreign nations in order to support anti-communist groups or regimes.

9. More Evolution. . .maybe • Neo-conservatism regained popularity after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. • The United States gov’t has toppled two regimes (Afghanistan & Iraq) that is deemed hostile or dangerous to the United States. • Economically, many neoconservatives are comfortable with the modern welfare state, although they are inclined to oppose government interference in the economy.

10. Neoconservatives • Some Neoconservative economists, such as Milton Friedman, advocate a return to classical liberal economics: • Minimum taxation • Few (if any) social programs • Complete deregulation of industries & services Because neoconservatives favour proactive foreign policy, they tend to favour increased military spending.