Social Studies 30-1 - Unit 1C: Liberalism

Liberalism

An ideology that focuses on individual personal and economic freedoms as the foundation of society.

=> Emerged from the Enlightenment (philosophers)

=> Ideas adopted during the American and French Revolutions

Classical Liberalism

The focus on the rights and freedoms of the individual in society. The role of the government should be limited to the protection of individual rights and private property.

Modern/Social Liberalism

The focus on allowing for individual growth and development in conjunction with networks of mutual assistance for all of society.

=> Welfare state

Neoliberalism

A return to the focus on the need for private enterprise and free markets.

The Five Layers of Liberalism

LAYER 1:

=> A focus on protecting individual rights and individual property, free from government interference

Layer 2:

=> A focus on an economic system, based on free market, that allows for individuals to benefit

Layer 3:

=> A focus on the need for individuals to continue to develop and grow in a way that does not harm others

Layer 4:

=> A focus on the need for mutual interdependence in society to allow all individuals full liberty and opportunity

Layer 5:

=> A focus on the recognition that populations are diverse and that society must be tolerant and pluralistic

American Revolution

1775 - 1783

- US constitution

- 'Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness'

The Enlightenment

- Emphasized reason and the scientific method

- Writers of the enlightenment tended to focus on government, ethics, and science, rather than on imagination, emotions, or religion

- The world is run by natural laws without the direct intervention of God

French Revolution

1789 - 1799

- Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

- 'Liberty, equality, fraternity'

The Great Law of Peace

An oral constitution that existed among the six nations of the Haudenosaunee.

=> Influenced the American Founding Fathers' understandings of liberalism

1. Separation of powers

2. Binding conditions for six nations of the confederacy

3. Individual rights and freedoms

Montesquieu

- Utilized satire to criticize the structure of European society

- Separation of power among governments

John Stuart Mill

- British philosopher who is considered one of the most important philosophers on the concept of liberty

- Advocated for Women's Rights

- Focused on the concept of freedom of choice from external pressure

Free Market

An economic system in which prices are determined by unrestricted competition between privately owned businesses.

=> Little government intervention

Physiocrats

- Laissez-faire economics

- Fought for free market and supported the ideas of Adam Smith

Mercantilism

The economy should be state-focused; all economic activity should be focused on growing the total power and wealth of the state.

Laissez-faire Capitalism

"Leave it alone!"

- Individuals need to be given the freedom to make their own decisions

- Individuals selfishness and competitiveness will inadvertently improve their own societies

Capital

A word meaning money or wealth.

Adam Smith

- Wealth of Nations

- Called for an economic system that allowed for people to act on their self-interest

- "Invisible hand"

Glorious Revolution

- Installed a successful parliament

- Focus on the power to the people in Britain

Free-Enterprise

An economic system in which private businesses operates in competition and largely free of state control.

Traditional Economy

Farming by the majority of the population.

=> The way things have always been done; the status quo

Enclosure

- Small communally farmed plots of land become private property

- Ultimately led to the growth of a large urban working-class

The Industrial Revolution

- Science and innovation lead to new discoveries for better energy systems

- Use of steel

- More efficient methods of producing goods by hand (machines)

- Size, capabilities, and complexities of machines also grow quickly over time

Industrialization

The development of industries for the machine production of goods.

Urbanization

The growth in the urban population; with former farmer mostly unskilled labour.

Nouveau Rich

The new rich!

=> Highlights new understandings of class that emerged from the Industrial Revolution

Socialists

Society takes care of you; you will contribute more.

=> Society is responsible for your health

Canadian Healthcare

- Single-payer system for the majority of health costs (government pays for it)

- Private health insurance must be purchased for dental and vision care

- Pharmaceuticals paid for privately

=> Costs are rising due to the aging populations and advances in technology and techniques; rural and urban splits; doctor's shortage; waitlists

US Healthcare

- For-profit hospitals and insurance companies (HMOs)

- Healthcare is provided by the government for those 65 and over and for people living in poverty

- Drug costs covered by individual or insurance

Affordable Care Act

Obamacare!

- Mandate (requirement) to buy health insurance

- No one refused for pre-existing conditions

- No one kicked out because of costs being too high

- People who cannot afford it will have it subsidized

- HMOs will continue to exist

The Second Amendment

- Addition to the Bill of Rights

- Common argument for the legality of firearm ownership

National Rifle Association (NRA)

A powerful lobby group for firearm ownership with minimal intervention by law.

Limited Government

A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

Sustainable Development

A strategy of development that balances current human well-being and economic advancement with resource management for the benefit of future generations.

Authoritarian

A government in which one leader or group of people holds absolute power.

Pragmatist

A practical person; one who is concerned with usefulness.

Dogmatic

To be arrogant and stubborn about one's beliefs.

Paternalistic

The system of governing a country as a father would a child.

Alienation

Being isolated and separated from everyone else.