6.9 Issues Challenging the Viability of Liberalism


Current Issues Challenging the Viability of Liberalism



Liberalism promotes individual rights and freedoms while limiting government powers. However, is liberalism justified when sometimes those rights and freedoms can cause harm to others? Liberal democratic societies are constantly challenged by issues that call into question whether individual rights and freedoms should be restricted or, at the very least, limited to some extent.  


Just how capable of being effective (viable) are liberal values when dealing with current issues? Following are examples of current challenges for liberal values:

  • Poverty and debt

  • Environment and resources

  • Internet and censorship

  • Health crisis

These examples are explained in the following reading in your textbook. Are the values of liberalism viable? In other words, are liberal values capable of handling current issues effectively?


Read "Challenges to Liberalism" on pages 374-389 of your textbook, Understandings of Ideology. These pages will further your understanding of the concept of the viability of liberal values in today's world.

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.