Transcript Individualism (Understandings of) - socialstudies30

Understandings of
Individualism
(Liberalism)
Early Understandings and Development
• After the Medieval Period, was a period known
as the Renaissance (circa 1450-1600); during this time,
individuality became more important.
• The Protestant Reformation (circa 1500-1650) also
contributed to growing individualistic ideals by
challenging the authority of the Roman Catholic
Church.
• A central idea of liberalism is the importance of
individual liberty. In the American and French
revolutions, people fought for liberal ideas such
as individual rights and freedoms.
• In the 1900’s countries began developing as
liberal democracies- a form of government in
which the rights and freedoms of the individual
are guaranteed. Ex?
Aspects of Individualism
• Individualism can be expressed in different ways: political,
economic, and social aspects of liberalism.
Political Aspects of Liberalism
Focuses on the ideas that all members
of society have the same legal rights
and freedoms, regardless of their
gender, race, or economic status.
Economic Aspects of
Liberalism
Focuses on the individual’s right to
property and the removal of
government control in economic
markets, so that the value of goods and
services is decided by individuals (or
individual companies), not the
government.
Social Aspects of Liberalism
Focuses on the idea that individuals are
the basis of society, and, as such, all
individuals in society should be treated
as equals and have access to the rights,
the freedoms, and a quality of life.
Political Expressions of Liberalism
• Ideas from the French and American
revolutions help form the basis of political
expressions of liberalism
• Declaration of Independence and the
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the
Citizen are documents which outline
individual rights and responsibilities in a
liberal society.
• Rule of Law and the Social Contract
• No person is above the law; all people are equal
under the law
• Must be clearly defined rules that make up the law,
not arbitrary decisions made by “higher powers”
• States that if two people commit the same crime,
they should receive the same punishment.
• This is why in a democracy, the judicial branch is
separate from the other branches; the executive
cannot manipulate the law to its own advantage.
• The government is held accountable to the people
by elections and if the government abuses its
power, then the people have a responsibility to
replace them.
Individual rights and Freedoms
• Include rights such as freedom of religion,
freedom of association, the right to life,
liberty and the security of the person.
• In liberal democracies, an important right
is the franchise, or right to vote.
• In Canada, the Charter of Rights
and Freedoms is in place to ensure
that rights and freedoms are
protected; however, these rights
can be limited by “such reasonable
limits prescribed by law as can be
demonstrably justified in a free and
democratic society.”
• This means that there are laws that
prohibit the promotion of hatred
and/or discrimination – thus
limiting freedom of expression
• Examples: Keegstra, hate
propaganda
Rule of Law continued...
• Essentially, individual rights express to what
degree individualism can be maintained
• To what extent an individual can live, and
direct their life according to their own desires
• Strong individual rights protect a person’s
ability to conduct themselves in any way they
see fit
• HOWEVER, the rights of others cannot be trampled
in this process.
Voltaire
• Voltaire (1694-1778) was a French writer and
philosopher who is renowned for saying:
“I may disagree with what you say, but I will
defend to the death your right to say it.”
What does this quote mean for individual rights
and freedoms?
Economic Expressions of Liberalism
• In the 15-1700’s a system called mercantilism
was largely followed by most of the European
nations.
• This system was founded on the belief that
the economy would work best when the
working class was oppressed… no free time,
no education, and no money.
• Adam Smith, an economist, transformed those
beliefs with his book The Wealth of Nations
Adam Smith: Self-interest and competition
• Believed the economy would regulate itself
if left alone. (Laissez Faire)
• Believed those that fail to complete fail to
survive. (profit motive)
• The “invisible hand”: in working in their own
self-interest, individuals will inadvertently
benefit all of society; the market will solve
all basic economic questions.
Father of the Market system
and author of
“The Wealth of Nations”
• If people work to benefit themselves,
competition among produces ensures that
the best product will be made at the lowest
possible price due to the forces of supply
and demand
• If consumers are sovereign, supply and
demand will dictate the natural flow of the
market.
Self-interest and Competition
“That which is common to the greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it.
Every one thinks chiefly of his own, hardly at all of the common interest; and only
when he is himself concerned as an individual.” -- Aristotle
• Decisions should be made free from govt. control.
• In “laissez faire economics”, the government should adopt a
“hands off” policy when it comes to economic decisions.
• Competition and profit motive find the most efficient and
innovative methods of production.
• Individuals can best achieve their goals if they are allowed to
have private ownership.
Private Property
The first private property laws said to
have been established in 24BC in
Mesopotamia when the ruler, Urukagina,
stated that no one could seize another’s
property.
• The principle that no one can be denied the right to
accumulate or trade valued items that are not in the property
of others.
• Private property includes the right of use, which allows any
owner to utilize their property in any preferred manner as
long as it does not violate the rights of those around them.
• It also includes the right of disposal, which allows the owner
to discard their property or transfer the ownership to another.
• Finally, private property includes the right to income, which is
the right to use your property as a source of profit. This could
include selling, leasing or renting.
Modern understandings of private property
developed during the Enlightenment; at first
understood only to apply to land, but later
expanded to include other forms of physical
possession and intellectual property (artistic
works, inventions, etc)
• Perceptions of land ownership have caused
clashes between some groups. For example,
some Aboriginal groups believe that land
cannot be owned, but is rather shared and a
gift from nature.
Debates also arise regarding intellectual
property as actual “ownership” is often hard
to determine, and even when specified, often
not respected.
Economic Freedom
• The freedom to buy what you want and to sell your labour, idea,
or product to whomever you wish
Ten factors to consider:
Business freedom
Investment freedom
Trade freedom
Financial freedom
Fiscal (tax) freedom
Property rights
Degree of government
regulation
Freedom from corruption
Monetary freedom
Labour freedom
• In 2008, Canada was 10th on the list due to the fact that the
Canadian government intervenes in the economy to create
stability.
• The economy in Canada is known as welfare capitalism due to
modifications made after the Great Depression of the 1930s
Social Expressions of Liberalism
• As liberalism evolved, more and more people
began to favor the government playing a role
in the rights and quality of life of citizens.
• Protecting rights, like under the Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms, is an
important part of liberal countries
• Universal education, and universal suffrage
are also common social elements of liberal
countries.