4.19 Challenging Liberalism with Alternative Thought
Is resistance to liberalism justified?
Big Ideas:
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Appreciate how citizens and citizenship are impacted by the promotion of ideological principles.
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Appreciate that individuals and groups may adhere to various ideologies.
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Examine the extent to which modern liberalism is challenged by alternative ideas.
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Evaluate the extent to which resistance to liberalism is justified.
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Challenges to Liberalism
Challenges to liberalism come from many different
perspectives. Some groups feel they need to protect and support their own beliefs and values from those of liberalism. By protecting and supporting
their beliefs and values, they challenge liberalism. People hold certain beliefs based on their own individual and collective values. Many of these values come from their culture and their deeply held beliefs. What happens when some
of these deeply rooted ideas oppose the values of modern liberal ideology?
Many aspects of society, such as Aboriginal collective thought, religious perspectives, extremism, and environmentalism,
are constantly challenging liberal ideology. When some perspectives differ in ideology from liberal governments, some people may feel they need to protect and support their beliefs and values. By protecting and supporting their beliefs
and values, people challenge liberal ideology. Whether these perspectives are striving for self-government, religious laws, traditional roles of women,
or sustainability and not economic freedom, people are all using the institutions in liberal societies to challenge liberal ideology.
I deological challenges to liberal ideology may come from Aboriginal perspectives, religious perspectives, environmentalist perspectives, and extremist perspectives.
Read "Challenges to Liberalism from Other Ways of Thinking" on pages 245-246 of your textbook, Understandings of Ideologies. These pages will further your understanding of challenges to liberalism from other perspectives.
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.
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Please watch the following video explaining Haudenosaunee Government:
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Challenges to Liberalism: Indigenous Perspectives
One key aspect to Aboriginal culture is a belief in the value of the group or collective over the individual. Many Aboriginal groups have values reflecting liberalism. For example, the Haudenosaunee
promoted equality, and the ability of individuals to bring their concerns to the assembly of chiefs. However, Aboriginal survival often depended upon group or collective values. The liberalist value of self-interest goes against collective Aboriginal values.
© CREATISTA/shutterstock Another important aspect of traditional Aboriginal thought is the idea that all people must live in harmony with the land and respect it. Aboriginal peoples traditionally have been dependent on
the land and all that exists on it. They believe their existence is of equal importance to that of the plants and animals. Many Aboriginals believe in a spiritual connection to the land. Therefore, the land cannot be owned by any one
individual. Land is for all to use. On the other hand, liberal capitalism regards land as something that
can be bought and sold, including any resources located on the land.
As a result of this basic difference in the approach to the land, Aboriginal peoples and the Canadian government have had ongoing land claim conflicts. Right from the start, settlers immediately
began dividing land up amongst themselves while the very concept of land ownership was foreign to Aboriginal peoples.
Similarly, the Aboriginal desire for self-government includes the desire to make their own decisions regarding their land, economic well-being, and natural resource use. This also includes protecting
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people cultures, languages, and education. This goes against the federal government's handling of these issues, which has not always been in the Aboriginal people's best interests.
Read "Aboriginal Perspectives and Ways of Thinking" on pages 246-254 of your textbook,
Understandings of Ideologies. These pages will further your understanding of challenges to liberalism from other perspectives.
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.
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Challenges to Liberalism: Religious Perspectives
Religious beliefs can include the idea that the best interest of the group is more important than self-interest. Some groups believe that people should live communally and share the profits of their
work. For example, the Hutterites in Canada live together and give everything to the community; they keep nothing for personal gain.
Some religions believe that men and women are fundamentally different and that there should be different laws according to gender. Religions can also have
a belief in a higher power that tells people what to do. This can happen through answers to prayer or guidelines in a religious book such as the Christian Bible, the Jewish Torah, or the Muslim Koran.
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Please watch the following video explaining Hutterite life:
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Read "Religious Perspectives and Ways of Thinking" on pages 255-260 of your textbook, Understandings of Ideologies. These pages will further your understanding of challenges to liberalism from other perspectives.
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.
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