SST3772-ABED_1: Unit 4.16 Imposing Liberalism in Other Countries

Countries such as the United States have imposed their foreign policies on governments of other countries by trying to develop liberal ideologies within those countries.

Can one political ideology work for everybody? Can liberalism be an ideology that can work for all people in the world? Imposing liberal ideology around the world is complex because any ideology must be able to adapt to the culture, history, and ways of the people.

Please watch the following video explaining Canadian Forces in Afghanistan September 3, 2006:

Self-Interest and Humanitarianism

A country may try to impose liberal ideology on people in another country for two reasons: self-interest and humanitarianism.

Liberal democratic nations have imposed liberal ideology to protect themselves from possible attack or to protect their own economic interests. Liberal ideology is also imposed for humanitarian reasons. Imposing liberal ideology is intended to bring equality and stability, but that is not easy and it is not always successful.

Read "Promoting Liberalism in the World" on pages 231-238 of your textbook, Understandings of Ideologies. These pages will further your understanding of perspectives on the imposition of liberalism.

You should make notes, either on paper or on your computer, about what you have read. You may want to read the tutorial How to Make Notes. When you are finished the tutorial, return here to continue this unit.