...promotion of constitutional reform. Discuss. (30) Individual rights are at both the centre of liberal philosophy and liberal party politics. From the days of classical liberalism, Locke discussed natural rights. The libertarian strand of liberalism with Nozick focuses on entitlement rights. The modern day Liberal Democrats state ‘the protection of civil liberties are at the heart of our purpose and philosophy’. Human rights help individuals gain freedom and liberty thus liberals must protect them. Also constitutional reform has been long connected to liberalism due to liberals fear of state power and want for individual freedom. Moreover, constitutional reform places balances and checks on government. The lib-dems have kept their loyalty to a more representative voting system within the coalition, shown through their instigation of the AV referendum in 2011. Human rights are rights that everyone is entitled to despite citizenship, for example freedom of speech. Lockes natural rights embodies human rights. Bentham dismissed natural rights as ‘nonsense on stilts’ stating that rights were but the child of law. The Lib-Dems support for Labours Human Rights Act shows protection of human rights/naturals rights but creating legislation. Modern liberals place rights to groups, not only individuals as the classical liberals promote, such as homosexuals in order to achieve equality of opportunity. The Liberals democrat party in the UK has shown its close association with the protection...
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...In Charles Larmore’s essay, he tries to illustrate the idea of political liberalism from board to narrow. Firstly he admits that liberalism is a controversial issue even between its adherents and adversaries, but that is not worthless to investigate. Larmore points out that there are two basic problems motivate us to continue research this project. The first one is we always try to seek the moral limits to the government. This is not just that provide rules to constrain the conduct of the rulers. More significant point is to find out the common goods that the government ought to promote and recognize. The second basic problem is that the increasing awareness that the reasonable people tend to differ and disagree about the nature of the good life. This is mainly focus on the reasonable disagreement about what good life should be, the example given by Larmore is religious wars. On the other hand, rather than the views hold by pluralists that who asserts there are many valid forms of human self-realisation, Larmore tends to think that there should be common values we would accept unanimously (e.g. we share certain views that what makes life worth living). Larmore claims the minimal moral conception can be devised political principles which expressing some idea of common goods. One of the methods can be able to describe the idea of that is using “neutrality”, which means that to be neutral with respect to controversial views. Larmore believes that different views of good life...
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...George Obiyo Varieties of Capitalism A synthesis essay on Washington Consensus, Ways of achieving a fiscal discipline, Fundamentalism (arguments against), Difference in European Liberalism and A post Washington consensus with empirical evidence on economic development. A) Washington consensus was a term created in 1989 by an English Economist John Williamson which focused on 10 relatively specific forms of economic policy that could help to promote developing countries that are in economic crisis. It was based in Washing D.C USA by institutions such as the US Treasury Department, World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). Williamson three main idea were based on the Macroeconomic discipline, the development and expansion of market forces around the domestic economy and the high degree of economic openness in and around the world. The ten policy reforms centers on: 1. Fiscal Policy – Constructive monetary discipline while avoiding a high rate of deficit : with a high deficit it could lead to balance of payment crisis with relatively high inflation that in most cases only affect the poor class as the rich are able to transfer their money overseas 2. Public Expenditures Priorities – The government should be neutral by eliminating or reducing in terms of non-merits subsidies and give more focus to pro-growth and pro-poor way policies example sectors like health, Education and infrastructure. Where health can close the gap between inequalities as the poor can cheaply...
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...points demonstrated in the video. The video indicates the way, in which the noble principles of the British Empire were not appropriate for handling the situations in India. Although the empire was supposed to provide benefits associated with Western civilization, the inhabitants of Ireland and India endured poverty because of the laissez faire economic policy. The lack of religious sensitivity, famine and mutiny resulted in the conflict between Indians and Britons. Moreover, the great Irish potato famines led to mass migration from Ireland to New Zealand, Australia, Canada and America. According to Simon Schama, Britain witnessed the establishment of the liberalism ideology and fast development of political institutions in the mid-19th century. As Britain continually developed and the public attained more freedom, liberalism was distributed to different colonies, in which settlers in New Zealand, Canada and Australia established their political institutions. In India, however, the British Empire intended to civilize the society in India. The empire used virtues rather than military or forceful approaches to occupy India, and focused on getting rid of poverty,...
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...Has liberalism betrayed its classical principles? Liberalism is a powerful modern thrust which is not just an ideology, but has become more of a western understanding. Liberalism emerged during the 19th century, following the French revolution i.e. the feudal period. The philosophy had set out principles in relation to the individual such as freedom, reason, justice, toleration and liberal democracy. A century later, there was the establishment of modern liberals. Modern liberalist ideas are similar to those of the classical liberals but, in some cases differ quite vigorously. It has been argued that modern liberals have betrayed the core, classical principles of liberalism. Classical liberals believe that the individual is largely self seeking and self reliant. These liberals believe in an atomistic society, which is the idea that society itself doesn’t exist and that individuals are out to satisfy their own personal needs. C.B. Macpherson described early liberalism as ‘possessive individualism’ where one owes nothing to society. Modern liberals on the other hand have a more optimistic view of human nature. They state that an individual must have social responsibility for one another, especially those who are unable to care for themselves. Modern liberals trust that there should be a unity amongst individuals to create an effective society where one is able to flourish to the fullness of their potential. They are in favour of social support rather than the classical belief...
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...Margaret Thatcher believed in radical change, individuality, and a strong Government that enforces the law, rather than interfering in the economy. She was also opposed to the welfare state. In many ways, her ideology was broadly similar to classical liberalism, and many theorists see her ideology as neo-liberalism. Under her rule, the Conservatives were no longer truly conservative, as conservatives are usually opposed to too much individualism and liberty, and definitely do not want radical change. However, in terms of morality they remained staunchly conservative, believing strongly in the family and in law and order. It can be said then that the Conservative Party had become economically liberal but morally conservative. The Modern Conservative Party This Classical liberal ideology is still prevalent in todayÕs Conservative Party. Consecutive leaders after Thatcher have all stayed relatively true to her reforms of the party and its ideology, believing in economic classical liberalism. However, in recent times they have struggled to get their message across as supposedly they are liberals, and yet are often against homosexuality, drugs and immigration-ideas which are much more right wing and against the very principles of Liberalism. This has led to a decline in their support, as people do not know what ideology the Conservatives are trying to represent, as some of their ideas seem to conflict with each other. In this way, it could be said that the Conservative Party do not...
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...What is Conservatism according to Burke? Under what circumstances could you become conservative yourself? Before I start talking about Edmund Burke and how I see the Conservatism and my point of view about it, I first have to say what actually Conservatism is. It is impossible to compare Conservatism with liberalism, socialism or communism and the reason for that is very simple. Conservatism is something completely different. The ideas of it and the way it “sees the word” has nothing to do with these of the other political philosophies. Even the origins of Conservatism are unique compared to these of the rest because unlike them Conservatism does not arise from philosophical foundation. We can describe it as a response, as a way to see the radical changes in the society and the total revolution like something that must never happen. Conservatism is a way of thinking. It shows us that it is impossible for us , the human beings, to be perfect if we achieve more or a complete freedom. According to that way of thinking people are full of weaknesses because they are a product of the Original Sin. Unlike socialists and liberals, conservatives believe that people are corruptible, selfish and weak and that’s why they must not believe in the infallibility of their thoughts. If they do that it would be impossible to have a normal life because people will hate each other and do everything possible to harm each other in one way or another. In order to prevent that conservatives...
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...1 5114044 Liberalism was the dominant political and economic theory of the world throughout the enlightenment and that gave way to many economic and social advances. In particular the 19th century saw an increase both in the literature associated with this movement and the amount of leaders that nominally subscribed to this theory. In Latin America, specifically, liberalism took a very unique path that culminated in the abandonment and complete rejection of these theories. The adoption of liberal policies both economically and socially moved from adhering very strictly to the theory at first (whilst being disconnected from reality) to the eventual degradation and disassociation of liberal ideals around the 1930’s. The initial adoption was due to the closeness of Latin American intellectuals with their European and American counterparts, while the shift towards autochthonous movements was caused as a response against the ever-present influence of Europe over the Latin American subcontinent and the effects of positivism. Liberalism is defined by a set of policies, ideas, and beliefs that hold individual autonomy, equality, and freedom as the pillars of human life. From this basic concept the economic ideas of laissez-faire economics and free markets are developed. Further on, democracy naturally stems from this idea that people are autonomous, rational, free agents that are capable of having decision making power and thus elect the best person possible amongst...
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...Conservatism Conservatism - a political and social philosophy that promotes retaining traditional social institutions. A person who follows the philosophies of conservatism is referred to as a traditionalist or conservative. A political or theological orientation advocating the preservation of the best in society and opposing radical changes. Opposition to state interference in private enterprise is one of the party’s core beliefs. Free trade and sound finances are the foundation of modern conservatism. British unionism - a political ideology favouring the continued union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. (Term can also be used in historical context, to describe an ideology favouring the creation of political unions between the constituent states in the British Isles). Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others, called reactionaries, oppose modernism and seek a return to "the way things were". The term, historically associated with right-wing politics, has since been used to describe a wide range of views. There is no single set of policies that are universally regarded as conservative, because the meaning of conservatism depends on what is considered traditional in a given place and time. Thus, conservatives from different parts of the world—each upholding their respective traditions—may disagree on a wide range of issues. "Conservatism is not so much a philosophy as an attitude, a constant force, performing...
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...4 Anonymous Hacktivism and Contemporary Politics Christian Fuchs 1. INTRODUCTION It is Friday, August 6, 2012, on the Internet. Sixty-seven years earlier, on August 6, 1945, the U.S. dropped the first atom bomb on Hiroshima. One hears a song by Trey Parker: "America. Fuck yeah. [. . .] So lick my butt and suck on my balls, America, fuck yeah! Whatcha' gonna do when we come for you now? (. . .) McDonalds, fuck yeah! Wal-Mart, fuck yeah!" Pictures of cats that look human are accompanied by the request, "I want to start a collection of my fetish catboys so post moar!" There is a link to a live cam on Times Square. One also finds an image showing a burning American flag that is accompanied by the logos of McDonald's and images of a can of Mountain Dew, the Statue of Liberty, a guitar player and a screaming bear. "You should kill yourself, fucking AMERRRICCAAA, you little fag- got." A rapper writes a new song and says that the first few minutes of the discussion in his thread will become part of the song. There is a story about a brother who tries to seduce his sister, but it turns out that his sister is a large arthropod. There is a thread with images of female but- tocks, accompanied by an announcement that one of the portrayed girls receives prank phone calls. One sees a picture of a couple having oral sex accompanied by the text "PORNO FUCK YEAH!" as well as a picture of a drunk sleeping man accompanied by the text "buddy passed out after 11 Coors...
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...CONSERVATISM Key concepts 1) Hierarchy and organic society * The term ‘organic society’ refers to a belief, which became entrenched in traditional conservative thought in the latter part of the 19th century. * It was a reaction against the rise of liberal individualism. * It proposes that society is more than merely a collection of individuals, but it is a single entity. * We are connected to each other through our humanity and common membership of community. * Organic society is seen as a reality, which is superior to our own, individual interests. * The ideal organic society – where goals and aspirations of individuals coincide with the goals of the whole society. 1980s – Margaret Thatcher famously challenged this remarking that there “is no such thing as society”, implying that the goals of individuals are superior to those of society as a whole. * Traditional conservatives believe that there is a ‘natural’ order into which each individual fits. * It is normal and natural that society should be divided by a number of strata. * The very rigid feudal system had long since disappeared, but there remained a belief that some kind of class system was inevitable. * Hierarchy like this supports organic society in that it creates an order and stability, which the individualistic society lacks. * Different parts of the hierarchy have different roles that complement each other. * This implies inequality, but an ordered inequality, and one in which...
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...inequality. According to A Brief History of Neoliberalism, neoliberalism is defined as a theory of political economic practices that proposes that human well-being can best be advanced by liberating individual entrepreneurial freedoms and skills within an institutional framework characterized by strong property rights, free markets, and free trade. Beginning in the 1970s and 1980s as political philosophy rooted in classical liberalism with a focus on free markets and economic growth, the definition of neoliberalism has changed quite a bit over the last few decades. The evolutionary dynamic of neoliberaliztion has been such as to force adaptations that have varied greatly from place to place as well as over time. Any attempt to piece together a picture of what a typical neoliberal state looks like today would prove to be a difficult task. The somewhat chaotic evolution and uneven geographical development of state institutions, powers, and functions over the last thirty years suggests that the neoliberal state may be an unstable contradictory political form. The effects of this economic philosophy are especially obvious in Latin America, where many nations faced debt crises directly related to neoliberalism. The overall result was an awkward mix of low growth and increasing income inequality. In Latin America, where the first wave of forced neoliberalization struck in the early 1980s, the result was for the most part a whole ‘lost decade’ of economic stagnation and political turmoil...
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...Jour 575-Media Ethics and Social Issues Theories for Mass Media Team Projects Teams and topics will be posted on 09/09 Each team will present and lead discussion for 30 minutes First team starts on 09/24 PowerPoint or pre-approved alternative for presentation and discussion Each Team Member must also submit A five-page paper on the topic A confidential peer review of each other team member Team Projects Topic will usually be a Chapter/Case Study in the book Team is expected to go beyond what is in the book to provide additional information and analysis regarding the case study topic. Analyze case study in terms of major foundational ethical theories and major journalism ethical theories. Authoritarian theory of the press: The function of the press is to support the policies and actions of the state, and its authorities. The press should foster social solidarity and national unity. The state has the right to control the press for the overall public good. In many cases, controlling the press means preventing the press from embarrassing the existing government, to repress criticism and protest, and to severely restrict press freedom. The authoritarian view was prevalent in 17th century Europe where publishing came under the prerogative and censorship powers of the monarch and church. The authoritarian theory is embraced today by many leaders of non-democratic states. Libertarian (or liberal) theory of the press: The...
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...Zealand, the 1980s saw the Australian Labor Party initiate Third Way economic reforms, which bear some familiarity to "New Right" ideology. After the John Howard Coalition defeated 13-year Labor government at the 1996 federal election, economic reforms were taken further, some examples being wholesale labour market deregulation (e.g. WorkChoices), the introduction of a Goods and Services Tax (GST), the privatisation of the telecommunications monopoly Telstra, and sweeping welfare reform including "work for the dole". The H. R. Nicholls Society, a think tank which advocates full workplace deregulation, contains some Liberal MPs as members and is seen to be of the New Right. Economic liberalism, also called economic rationalism in Australia, was first used by Labor's Gough Whitlam.[2] It is a philosophy which tends to advocate a free market economy, increased deregulation, privatisation, lower direct taxation and higher indirect taxation, and a reduction of the size of the welfare state. The politicians favouring New Right ideology were referred to as "dries", while those advocating continuation of the economic policies of the post-war consensus, typically Keynesian economics, or were more socially liberal, were called "wets" (the term "wets" was similarly used in Britain to refer to those Conservatives who opposed Thatcherite economic policies, but "dries" in this context was much rarer in British usage). Brazil[edit] In Brazil, the New Right...
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...Doxastic Dilemma The debate between doxastic conservatism and doxastic liberalism has been a topic of controversy for quite some time. Two prominent figures in this respect are William Clifford whose support of doxastic conservatism is outlined in The Ethics of Belief and William James, who defend doxastic liberalism in his work The Will to Believe. Personally, I find Clifford’s position resonates better with my own process of accepting and discarding beliefs, however it is important to note that by saying this I am not rejecting the virtues of doxastic liberalism. Quite the contrary, I do believe that in some instances a liberal attitude can prove worthwhile, I simply find James’ reasons for applying a liberal attitude to be rather problematic. A discussion on whether or not James’ reasons for applying doxastic liberalism may go beyond the scope of this paper, so any such inquiry into this matter will be kept to a minimum. In his defense of doxastic conservatism Clifford offers the following argument: Before accepting a belief, we must ensure that there is sufficient evidence which supports said belief (1,5,10). If after examining the available evidence, we find that it does not support the belief, than that belief must be discarded (2-4). Additionally, there are instances where a belief “goes beyond our experience” and can be accepted based on inferences of similar experiences, assuming that the inference is drawn logically from reliable...
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