6.1 Overview: The Viability of Liberalism

As you have learned, liberalism is an ideology based on liberty and freedom of choice. Most liberal democracies have documents to protect your rights and to promote liberal values. These documents usually form an integral part of a liberal democracy's constitution.

 Canada added the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to its Constitution in 1982. The United States was founded upon the struggle for liberty. In 1787, the US adopted its Constitution and, shortly after, the Bill of Rights. When the United Nations was formed, the founders looked at the basic rights to which all humans are entitled. The UN founders formulated the Declaration of Human Rights to set the global standard for all people everywhere regardless of race, religion, or geographical location.

Think about this for a moment. You have many freedoms and rights, including the right to move anywhere in Canada, to voice your opinion, to find work, and to practice your religion. As Canadians, these rights are sometimes taken for granted, right? You may think these rights have always existed in Canada.

In this unit, you will examine individual and collective rights in Canada and whether the values of liberalism are still viable (workable and effective) considering modern issues. You have your rights protected in Canada as long as you obey the laws of our country. And there's the challenge.

In a liberal society, individuals have a duty to act as responsible citizens with liberal values.

  • Are individuals free to do as they please if they are disrupting the rights and freedoms of other people?

  • Does liberalism still work when a society is threatened by such things as terrorism or poverty and debt?

  • Do individual rights and freedoms need to be limited for the common good?


In this unit, you will explore the extent to which the values of liberalism are viable in a contemporary world:

Are the values of liberalism viable?



Unit Six: List of Assignments, Self-Quizzes, Forums, and Exams

Assignments, Forums, and Unit Review Exam will open as you work through the unit sequentially.

6.5 Indigenous Rights Forum


6.6 Individual and Collective Rights in Canada Self-Quiz

 
6.7 Balancing Individual and Collective Rights Assignment


6.11 Liberalism Viability Challenges Self-Quiz


6.12 Is Liberalism Viable? Assignment


Unit 6 Review Exam