Social Studies 30-2 Chapter 5: Impacts of and Responses to Classical Liberalism

Cost of Living:

How much money is needed to provide a person or family with a certain standard of living (for example, food, shelter, clothing, and the goods and services that are required to maintain that standard)

Equal Opportunity:

Policies and practices in employment and other areas that do not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, colour, age, gender, national origin, religion, or mental or physical disability.

Feminism:

A political movement involving organized efforts to achieve political, social, and economic equality for women.

Human Rights:

Also known as natural rights; the rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled. These rights are enshrined in the Bills and Declarations of Rights in many countries including Canada and the United States, and in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Industrial Revolution:

Economic and social changes, such as the ones that began in England in the late 18th century, that occur when extensive mechanization of production systems results in a shift from home-based hand manufacturing in rural areas to large-scale factory production in cities.

Industrialization:

The process of introducing technology to produce goods, which results in mass production and mass consumption within a society. This is generally accompanied by urbanization, increased use of natural resources, greater amounts of pollution, and an increased standard of living compared to an agricultural society.

Labour Standards:

Government enforce rules and standards aimed at providing safe, clean working environments and protecting workers' rights to free association, collective bargaining, and freedom from discrimination.

Labour Unions:

Organized groups of workers who try to improve the working conditions and wages for a specific group of workers or for an entire industry.

Laissez-faire Capitalism:

A French term meaning "leave alone". A laissez-faire economy is one in which government does not intervene in the free market; also called laissez-faire capitalism or free-market economy; related to classical liberalism.

Modern Liberalism:

An ideology that developed over time to address concerns with the inequality and injustices create by a capitalist society, while remaining focused on individual rights.

Standard of Living:

The level of material comfort enjoyed by a person, group, or society; the amount of goods and services that people can afford to buy.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

A resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948. The declaration outlines the human rights to which all people are entitled.

Voting Rights:

The rights of certain groups of people in society to participate in elections (for example, women or Aboriginal groups); also called suffrage.

Welfare State:

A society in which government plays a large role in providing for the needs of its citizens through publicaly funded social programs (for example, old age pension, unemployment insurance, education, health care, and public housing), based on the principles of equality of opportunity and equitable distribution of wealth.

Industrial Revolution led to:

o New Rules
o New Hours
o New Wages
o New Ways of Conducting Business
o New Ways of Restructuring Society

During the 19th century

the rich became richer and the poor became poorer

Gap between people with money and people without money became wider

majority of workers did not see an increase in standard of living (amount of goods and services they could afford) during the industrial revolution

Began to cost people more and more for less and less

Challenges of the Working Class during the Industrial Revolution

a rise in pollution

development of city slums

abuse of employees

unreasonably long working hours

child labour

unjust firing practices.

Luddites

protested changes to the economy, broke into factories, destroyed machinery, and attacked business owners

rejected the replacement of skilled workers with technology

In response to living and working conditions liberal governments began to...

impose restrictions on laissez-faire capitalism.
o Increase the age at which children could be employed.
o Shorten the working day.
o Improving working conditions.
o Increased wages.

Factory Acts

a series of laws passed by British Parliament during the 1800s and early 1900s to make better and fairer working conditions for workers, particularly children and women

Different Views of the Welfare State

Classical Liberals believe that a welfare state creates dependence on the gov't and discourages innovation and motivation in people.

Those who support the welfare state argue that when people are healthy, safe, and economically secure, they are better able to be creative and innovative.

1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which stated citizens rights...

o to take part in government
o to be treated equally by the law of the land
o to liberty and freedom of thought and worship
o to own private property.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights also includes:
o The right to be free from slavery or servitude.
o The right to equal pay for equal work.

Different Understandings and Uses of the Term Liberal

not always used to refer to the ideology of liberalism

can be used to describe how a person or group feels about political or economic change

People who are more open to change or else encourage it within economic and political systems are often referred to as liberals

People who wish to maintain the status quo are sometimes referred to as conservative liberals