Related Issue 3 looks at the viability of liberalism So when we
look at this related issue, we have to ask ourselves, how well have
the underlying beliefs and values of liberalism worked throughout
history, and today?
Slide 2
Throughout our exploration of this issue, we have discussed and
inquired into the following topics. 1. Democracy in theory and
practice, and how well our democratic institutions reflect liberal
values. 2. Government actions and whether their actions reflect the
liberal values we have discussed in class 3. Economic equality and
how much governments should encourage economic equality in society
4. Is liberalism working in contemporary society?
Slide 3
1. Democracy in theory and practice, and how well our
democratic institutions reflect liberal values. When we look at
this topic within the issue of viability of liberalism, democracy
is always an important institution that must be discussed. 1.
Democracy is a liberal value in theory as it is the institution
gives citizens of the country the freedom to choose what they want
from their government and holds leaders accountable to its citizens
and not vise versa. 2. When looking at democracy, one has to ask
himself, how is the will recognized within a democracy.
Slide 4
1. Democracy in theory and practice, and how well our
democratic institutions reflect liberal values. There are many
things that we have discussed in class that pertain to the process
of ensuring that the will of people are reflected in a democracy.
They are as follows: 1. Voting and Electoral Process: The following
criteria should be considered when looking at the way the will of
the people is reflected within a democratic country: - It always
allows for public input - It provides representation that reflects
a range of different opinions and perspectives - It hold politician
and their actions accountable to the voters.
Slide 5
Voting and Electoral Process: When looking at a liberal
democracy, voting must be ensure, and democracies usually have
organizations that ensure that elections are conducted according to
democratic principles.
Slide 6
Question for Review: What are the 2 types of democracies that
we discussed in class? Which one is a better reflection of true
democratic principles? Why isnt this one used much today?
Slide 7
Voting and the Electoral Process What are the 2 different ways
in which people are represented by representatives in the
government? 1. Rep by Pop: each citizen should have one vote, and
that each elected representative should represent roughly the same
amount of people * When voting, the winners are decided by FPTP:
The one that wins the most votes is the candidate that represents
the whole constituency. In your opinion, does this reflect the true
will of the people?
Slide 8
Voting and the Electoral Process What are the 2 different ways
in which people are represented by representatives in the
government? 2. Proportional Representation: voters generally vote
for a party rather than a candidate, and party representatives are
assigned to sit in Parliament based upon the percentage or
proportation of the popular vote their party recieves. Why do some
claim that proportial representation is a better reflection of the
will of the people, and in theory, more democratic?
Slide 9
Another way in which a govt is supposed to reflect the will of
the people is through party politics. The thought is that people
will vote with a partys ideology that best aligns with their own.
However, we have learned this is not always the case, and that
although MPs are expected to vote in the way their constituents
want, this does not always happen. To whom should party members be
loyal to? The Party, voters, or both? To what extent does the idea
of loyalty reflect liberal values?
Slide 10
The question at hand is, how accountable is the government to
its people? What institutions are in place in the Canadian
government to ensure the government is held accountable to the
citizens? 1. Opposition Parties 2. Freedom of the Press 3.
Referendums and Plebiscites 4. Interest Groups 5. Freedom of Speech
6. Freedom of Association
Slide 11
In your own opinion, does contemporary democracy truly reflect
the principles of liberalism?
Slide 12
Another issue we have discussed in class in relation to
democracy is the idea of disregarding the will of the people, and
if democratic governments have the right to do so.
Slide 13
As we have seen throughout history, and in contemporary
society, democracies have disregarded the will of the people during
times of crisis to ensure that the safety of the common good is
upheld. There are a few instances in which the Canadian government
have disregarded the will of the people; 1. Conscription 2. War
Measures Act 3. Deportation of war resisters 4. The Emergencies Act
5. Anti Terrorism Act
Slide 14
When looking at the previous instances of when the govt
disregarded the will of the people and at times suspended the civil
liberties, one has to remember that for the most part, many of
these acts were temporary, which greatly differs from Authoritarian
governments. Authoritarian governments are accountable to no one
but themselves and decisions are made from the top down, meaning
that the will of the people is always ignored. What is the
difference between the actions of Authoritarian governments and the
actions taken by the Canadian government in disregarding the will
of the people?
Slide 15
2. Government actions and whether their actions reflect the
liberal values we have discussed in class When looking at this
issue, we have looked at the following questions: 1. In what ways
do the actions of Canadas government go against or reflect the will
of the people? 2. In what ways can a democractic government enhance
liberal values?
Slide 16
What structures within the Canadian government may not reflect
liberal values? 1. The Senate 2. Governor General 3. Tradition of
Political Parties * Why do many view these aspects of our
government as going against liberal values?
Slide 17
What structures within the Canadian government reflect liberal
values? The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Promoting
Political and Economic Rights - Quebec Charter of Human Rights and
Freedoms - Canadas Multicultural Act - Collective Rights ( Two
Official Language groups, Aboriginal Peoples)
Slide 18
Economic equality and how much governments should encourage
economic equality in society. One of the most important issues that
a government must make decisions about how a country will best
address the economic needs of its citizens. As we have looked at
this, we know that there are many different ways that governments
attempt to address this issue based on the different ideology that
a country may adhere to.
Slide 19
Economic equality and how much governments should encourage
economic equality in society 2 different ways of thinking when it
comes to addressing the economic needs; 1. Economic freedom to make
own choices and succeed or fail at own risk 2. Economic equality
with others; sharing success or failures as a society
Slide 20
Economic equality and how much governments should encourage
economic equality in society. Economic Equality Can include: 1.
EGALITARIANISM 2. EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY 3. EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION
of INCOME
Slide 21
Economic equality and how much governments should encourage
economic equality in society. Economies and Liberalism Any economy
wants to solve the problem of SCARCITY and choice. Resources and
products are always limited and we must make choices about these
resources and products.
Slide 22
Economic equality and how much governments should encourage
economic equality in society. Economies and Liberalism To address
scarcity, economic systems must respond to the following questions;
1. What will be produced 2. How will the goods and services be
produced? 3. To whom will they be distributed and at what price? 4.
Who will make these decisions? * How economic systems answer these
questions, result in the following economic systems: command,
mixed, free-market
Slide 23
Is liberalism working in contemporary society? Societies today
face situations that challenge liberal values such as
individualism, freedom of expression, self interest, intrusion by
govt, and mobility rights. We also know that challenges that
societies face can force societies to reconsider liberalism. Some
challenges are poverty, debt, the environment, internet,
censorship, and health crises. Many believe that moderate self
interest, rather than selfishness will address these challenges to
liberalism and what roles governments should play in doing so.