Modern Rejections of Liberalism in Canada

Today, we are going to look at some modern rejections of liberalism in Canada.
To begin, let's discuss the following question:

Why would Liberal Democracies sometimes reject the principles of liberalism?

Next, in groups of 2-5 we will be going to the computer lab to make a presentation for the class:

You will have to answer the following questions:
1. What principles of liberalism were rejected in this particular case?
2. How did the government justify their actions?
3. What was the result?
4. Do you agree with what the government did?  Why or why not?

The topics are:

Japanese Internment in World War II
The October Crisis(FLQ Crisis)
The USA PATRIOT Act
Tobacco Laws


You may do your presentation with whatever format you like, so long as you get across the required information.  We will be presenting these tomorrow.

Unit 3 Day 1

First, we will discuss the results of the election:

Then, we will watch the speeches of the leaders.  Why do you think it ended as it did?  What will the results be?

We will also look at some photos of the aftermath of the operation in which Osama Bin Laden was killed.

Then, we will discuss the issue we will be working with for the next few weeks:

To what extent are the principles of liberalism viable?

To begin, we will also review the principles of liberalism?  What kinds of society would be opposed to each?
1. Significant government intervention in the economy
2. All individuals are valued equally
3. Programs must be developed to help disadvantaged individuals and eliminate the causes of proverty, crime, and abuse.
4. Shared benefits of development and sustainable development

Written Assignment

Today and tomorrow, you will be working on a written assigment.  It is to be a position paper, and it will be for marks.  Please refer to the writing samples to see what is required for a position paper.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at matt.chomistek@gmail.com.

Good luck, and I will be taking the papers in on Wednesday.

Modern Liberalism

Today we will discuss Modern Liberalism

To begin, we will look at the principles of Modern Liberalism:
-involves significant government intervention
-proposes that all individuals be treated equally
-proposes the development of programs to help disadvantaged individuals and eliminate the causes of poverty, crime, and abuse
-promotes intitatives to share the benefits of development and to develop wisely


This is rooted in the idea of equality of outcome, while the classical liberal viewppoint highlights equality of opportunity. 
How are these different?

Modern Liberalism rose out of the following events:  Why do you think this contributed to the development of modern liberalism?
A) First and Second World Wars
B) Great Depression
C) Exclusion of Minorities from voting and positions of power
D) the change from a rural, agrarian societ to an urban, manufacturing society

One of the results of the development of modern liberalism was Environmentalism.  This is an ideology that focuses primarily on the protection of the environment and sustainable development.

What are some of the positive results of a belief in environmentalism?  What are some of the negative results?

Neo-Conservatism
-goes even further right than classical liberalism
-believe the following with regard to foreign policy:
a)patriotism is good, and should be encouraged
b)world government needs to be avoided, same as monopolies
c) a large country has interestsbeyond its borders, and thus should have a strong military
d) democratic capitalism is a preferable system, and should be promoted internationally

Where do we see this practiced today?  Where have we seen this practiced in the past?

Reagan and Thatcher

Trickle Down Economics

If we have time left, you may work on your questions from yesterday.

Cold War Wrap-Up

Review Cold War / Thirteen Days

Concept of Proxy Wars.

Please read 272-299.  As you read, please complete the following questions:
Pg. 275 'Voices' Question
Pg. 276 Pause and Reflect Questions(all 3)
pg. 279 Explore the Issues Questions(1, 4, and 5)
Pg. 283 'Voices' Questions 1,2, and 3


Read 'Investigation' on pg. 292-293 and complete 'Questions for Reflection' 1,2, and 3.

Pg. 296 Explore the Issues Question 1 and 2.

Audio Test

Here is a link to an audio file.  You will need to right click, then choose 'save target as.'  Then, if you drag the icon into your iTunes, you should be able to play it on your iPods.

Can someone give it a try?  This is not a textbook chapter, just a short clip.  Let me know if it works.

First, we will answer the following question:
What is the ideological perspective of the source?

You are horrified at our intending to do away with private property.  But in your existing society, private property is already done away with for nine-tenths of the population; its existence for the few is solely due to its non-existence in the hands of those nine-tenths. 

                                                                               -Karl Marx, The Communist Manifesto

Next, we will watch a segment of 'Love, Hate and Propaganda that helps explain the transition from World War II to the Cold War.

Then, we will discuss the lead up to the Cuban Missile Crisis.