SS 30-1 Notes PDF

Decline of Feudalism and the Emergence of Modern Social Contract The decline of feudalism in Britain, marked by the establishment of courts and juries by King Henry II (1154-1189), laid the groundwork for the modern social contract. This was further solidified by King John's establishment of the Mag...

Decline of Feudalism and the Emergence of Modern Social Contract The decline of feudalism in Britain, marked by the establishment of courts and juries by King Henry II (1154-1189), laid the groundwork for the modern social contract. This was further solidified by King John's establishment of the Magna Carta in 1215, which introduced the principle of habeas corpus. This principle ensures that individuals have the right to know why they are being arrested, to have access to a lawyer, and to receive a fair trial. The Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation The Renaissance, inspired by the revival of ancient Greek thought, particularly the works of Aristotle, led to a renewed emphasis on human rationality and individualism. This period also saw the emergence of the Protestant Reformation, led by figures such as Martin Luther, who advocated for the right of individuals to interpret the Bible for themselves. The Protestant Reformation was a movement that sought to reform the Catholic Church and promote individual interpretation of the Bible. Key Figures and Their Contributions The following table highlights some key figures and their contributions to the development of modern social and political thought: Figure Contribution Key Ideas John Proposed the idea of empiricism, which challenged Emphasized the importance of individual Locke the church's notion of innate knowledge rights and the social contract Challenged the divine right of kings and advocated Critiqued the excesses of the clergy and the Voltaire for reason and tolerance nobility Thoma Authored The Leviathan, which presented a Argued that humans are inherently s pessimistic view of human nature and the need for a self-interested and that a strong government Hobbes strong central authority is necessary to maintain order Major Liberal Revolutions The following table outlines some major liberal revolutions and their key characteristics: Revolution Dates Key Features English 1688- Established a parliamentary monarchy and limited the power of the monarch Revolution 1689 American 1765- Created a democratic republic with a presidential system and enshrined the principles Revolution 1783 of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness French 1789- Established the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity and created a republican Revolution 1799 government Haitian 1791- Led to the establishment of the first independent black nation in the world and the Revolution 1804 abolition of slavery Classical Liberalism and Its Critics Classical liberalism emphasizes individual rights, limited government intervention, and the free market. However, it has been criticized by various groups, including: ​ Luddites: opposed the introduction of new machinery and technology, fearing it would lead to unemployment and social unrest ​ Chartists: advocated for universal suffrage, equal electoral districts, and payment for members of parliament ​ Socialists: argued that capitalism creates economic inequality and advocated for greater government intervention and regulation of the economy Key Concepts and Definitions The following are some key concepts and definitions related to classical liberalism and its critics: ​ Capitalism: an economic system based on private ownership and the creation of goods and services for profit ​ Socialism: an economic system based on collective ownership and the redistribution of wealth ​ Communism: an economic system based on the collective ownership of the means of production and the abolition of private property ​ Humanitarianism: a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of promoting human welfare and alleviating suffering Classical Conservatism Classical conservatism, as exemplified by Edmund Burke, emphasizes the importance of stability, tradition, and social hierarchy. Burke argued that: The stability of society is paramount, and that not all citizens have equal education, technical expertise, or political literacy, and therefore should not be allowed to vote. Burke also advocated for welfare capitalism, which involves providing social programs and benefits to employees in order to promote social stability and prevent government intervention.## Welfare Capitalism Welfare capitalism refers to a system where businesses provide benefits and services to their employees, such as healthcare, education, and housing. There are two types of welfare capitalism. Despite attempts by some factories to embrace welfare capitalism, the government felt that these reforms did not go far enough in appeasing social sentiments, and therefore began to regulate welfare capitalism. Factory Acts The Factory Acts in Britain were a series of regulations that aimed to improve working conditions in factories. Some key provisions of the Factory Acts include: ​ Reducing child working hours to daytime only, and limiting the workday to 12 hours ​ Requiring factories to be ventilated twice a year The Great Depression The Great Depression was a global economic downturn that was triggered by the 1929 crash of Wall Street. A recession is defined as: an economic downturn that lasts for three or more years, causing the GDP to fall by at least 10% in a given year The causes of the Great Depression include: ​ A glut in international markets, caused by the recovery of British and French industries after World War I ​ A surge in American supply, which led to a plummet in world prices ​ Panic selling of stocks, which caused a fear that banks would lose money, leading to bank runs and bankruptcies The peak unemployment rate during the Great Depression was 30% in Canada and 25% in the US. Demand Side Economics Demand side economics refers to the idea that the government should intervene in the economy to ensure that there is always demand. This concept was introduced by economist John Maynard Keynes, who argued that government regulation and intervention can mitigate the fluctuations in the economy. Extension of Equality The extension of equality refers to the expansion of rights and freedoms to all citizens. Some key milestones in the extension of equality include: ​ Universal suffrage: the right to vote for all citizens, regardless of race or gender ​ Women's suffrage: the right to vote for women, which was granted in the US in 1920 ​ Labour unions: organizations that represent workers and negotiate with employers on their behalf Labour Unions Labour unions have played a crucial role in the extension of equality. Some key events in the history of labour unions include: ​ The Haymarket Riot in 1886, which was a labour protest in Chicago that turned violent ​ The Homestead Steel Strike in the early 1890s, which was a strike by workers at a steel mill in Pennsylvania The Gilded Age The Gilded Age refers to a period of economic growth and industrialization in the US, characterized by the rise of captains of industry such as Henry Ford and JD Rockefeller. However, this period was also marked by income inequality and exploitation of workers. Economic Policies of the Gilded Age The economic policies of the Gilded Age were characterized by: Policy Description Laissez-faire a hands-off approach to economic regulation, which allowed businesses to operate with capitalism minimal government intervention Monopoly the concentration of market power in the hands of a few large corporations Trust cartel a group of businesses that work together to control prices and limit competition The Progressive Era The Progressive Era refers to a period of reform and social change in the US, characterized by the rise of progressive politicians such as Theodore Roosevelt. The economic policies of the Progressive Era were characterized by: Policy Description Antitrust laws laws that prohibit monopolies and promote competition Regulation of business government oversight of businesses to protect workers and consumers Protection of small policies that support small businesses and prevent them from being driven out of businesses business by larger corporations Key Terms Some key terms to know include: ​ Golden age: a period of economic growth and prosperity ​ Fordism: a system of production that emphasizes efficiency and standardization ​ Meritocracy: a system in which individuals are rewarded based on their talents and abilities ​ Nepotism: the practice of giving favor or preference to family members or friends in business or professional matters ​ Neoliberalism: an economic ideology that emphasizes free market principles and limited government intervention The Great Depression: Causes and Effects The Great Depression was caused by a combination of factors, including: ​ Overproduction: the production of more goods than could be consumed ​ Underconsumption: the lack of demand for goods and services ​ Panic selling: the rapid sale of stocks and assets, which led to a loss of wealth and a decline in economic activity The effects of the Great Depression included: ​ High unemployment: rates of unemployment reached as high as 30% in some countries ​ Poverty: many people were unable to afford basic necessities such as food and housing ​ Social unrest: the Great Depression led to widespread social unrest and protest, as people demanded action from their governments to address the economic crisis.## The Great Depression The Great Depression was a global economic downturn that occurred in the 1930s. It was characterized by a high unemployment rate, which reached 25% by 1933, and a significant drop in average income, which decreased by 54% during the same period. Causes and Effects Some of the key causes and effects of the Great Depression include: ​ Bank runs: a situation where large numbers of people withdraw their savings from banks, causing the banks to run out of money ​ Protectionism: a policy of protecting domestic industries by imposing tariffs and other trade barriers ​ Keynesian economics: an economic theory that emphasizes the role of government spending and fiscal policy in stabilizing the economy The Three Rs The Three Rs of the New Deal, introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, were: 1.​ Relief: providing immediate assistance to those affected by the Great Depression 2.​ Reform: implementing policies to prevent similar economic downturns in the future 3.​ Recovery: investing in infrastructure and other projects to stimulate economic growth Welfare State Policies The welfare state is a system in which the government provides a range of social services and benefits to its citizens. Some examples of welfare state policies include: ​ Employment insurance: a program that provides financial assistance to workers who have lost their jobs ​ Federal deposit insurance: a program that insures bank deposits up to a certain amount ​ Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): a regulatory body that oversees the stock market and enforces laws related to securities trading A welfare state is a system in which the government provides a range of social services and benefits to its citizens, including healthcare, education, and financial assistance. Post-War Boom The post-war period saw a significant economic boom, driven in part by: ​ Population growth: an increase in the number of consumers and workers ​ Government spending: investments in infrastructure and other projects ​ Keynesian economics: the use of fiscal policy to stabilize the economy Blowback Blowback refers to the unintended consequences of a foreign policy decision. For example, the US support for Israel in a war against Arab states led to an oil embargo by OPEC countries, which had a significant impact on the US economy. Proxy Wars A proxy war is a conflict fought between two or more countries through intermediaries, rather than directly. Examples include: ​ The Vietnam War: a conflict fought between the US and the Soviet Union through their respective allies in Vietnam ​ The Bay of Pigs: a failed invasion of Cuba by US-backed exile forces Rise of Nationalism and Communism The rise of nationalism and communism in the early 20th century was driven in part by: ​ Economic instability: the global economic downturn of the 1930s ​ Political ideology: the appeal of nationalist and communist ideologies to certain groups Environmentalism Environmentalism is a movement that seeks to protect the natural environment through sustainable development. The movement has its roots in the late 19th century, when: ​ John Muir founded the Sierra Club, one of the first environmental organizations ​ The industrial age led to increased pollution and environmental degradation Neoconservatism Neoconservatism is a political ideology that emphasizes: ​ Low taxes: reducing the tax burden on individuals and businesses ​ Small government: limiting the role of government in the economy and society ​ Monetarism: using monetary policy to control inflation and stabilize the economy Responsible Government A responsible government is one that is accountable to its citizens and is guided by the principles of: ​ Representation: representing the interests of citizens in the government ​ Accountability: being accountable to citizens for its actions ​ Transparency: being transparent in its decision-making processes Constitutional Monarchy A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which: ​ A monarch serves as head of state, but their powers are limited by a constitution or other laws ​ A parliamentary democracy is used to make decisions and pass laws Imposing Liberalism Imposing liberalism refers to the practice of promoting liberal values and institutions in other countries. This can be done through: ​ Diplomacy: using diplomatic efforts to promote liberal values and institutions ​ Economic aid: providing economic assistance to countries that adopt liberal policies ​ Military intervention: using military force to impose liberal values and institutions on other countries Liberalism as an Evolutionary Concept Liberalism can be seen as an evolutionary concept, in which: ​ The longer a state or form of government exists, the harder it falls: the more stable and long-lasting a state or form of government is, the more difficult it is to change or overthrow ​ The richer a liberal state, the more likely it is to survive: the more economically developed a liberal state is, the more likely it is to survive and thrive Post-Modernism Post-modernism is an ideology that: ​ Believes reality is a social construct: reality is constructed through social and cultural norms, rather than being an objective fact ​ Emphasizes the importance of diversity and pluralism: promoting diversity and pluralism, and recognizing the value of different perspectives and ideologies Extremism Extremism refers to: ​ Politically extreme behaviors or actions: using extreme measures to achieve political goals ​ Economically extreme systems: systems that exist on the extremes of the economic spectrum, such as communism or laissez-faire capitalism The following table summarizes some of the key concepts related to liberalism and its challenges: Concept Definition  a political ideology that Liberalism emphasizes individual freedom and rights a political ideology that emphasizes low taxes, small Neoconservatism government, and monetarism an ideology that believes reality is a social construct Post-modernism and emphasizes diversity and pluralism politically extreme behaviors Extremism or actions, or economically extreme systems Liberalism is challenged by various factors, including capitalism, which requires perpetual growth to attract investors and remain competitive. This creates strain on natural resources and accelerates climate change. Consumerism also poses a similar challenge. Pandemics and Liberal Principles Pandemics challenge liberal principles in several ways: ​ Mobility rights: restrictions on movement and travel ​ Freedom of assembly: limitations on gatherings and protests ​ Mandatory vaccinations: debates over individual freedom and public health The question arises: do we have a responsibility to reduce harm to others from our behaviors? Public Infrastructure The privatization of public infrastructure can have negative consequences, as seen in the example of the government of Churchill, MB, selling its railway to a private company, OmniTRAX, in 1997. This led to reduced rail service and disputes over repair costs after a severe flood. Review of Unit 3 The principles of liberalism are viable to some extent, but their imposition has been successful only for certain groups. The neo-liberal movement has decreased post-secondary subsidies, from 80% in 1982 to 55% in 2012, making it harder for people to access education. Civic Participation Civic participation can impact government policy and lawmaking, but it is easy for citizens in a representative democracy to disengage from the process. Statistics show that higher levels of education are associated with greater civic engagement. The Occupy Movement The Occupy movement, also known as the 99 percent rally, highlighted issues of income inequality and poverty. Key statistics include: ​ The richest 3 billionaires owning a combined $131 billion ​ Low-income earnings decreasing steadily since the early 1980s ​ 1 in 7 Americans living below the poverty line ​ Only 1 out of 6 people having health insurance ​ The nominal minimum wage decreasing by $3 between 1970 and 2015 Important Thinkers John Stuart Mill is an important thinker who supports aggressive progressive taxation and can be considered a socialist. The American Civil Rights Movement The movement gained momentum after the killing of Emmett Till in 1955 and challenged segregation laws, also known as Jim Crow laws. These laws created separate spaces for black and white people in the US, including: Facility Segregation Schools Separate schools for black and white children Transportation Separate buses and trains for black and white people Restaurants Separate restaurants for black and white people Key Events and Figures ​ Plessy vs Ferguson (1896): a court case that found separate but equal laws to be constitutional ​ Rosa Parks: an activist who sparked the Montgomery bus boycott ​ Martin Luther King Jr.: a leader who stressed the importance of peaceful civil disobedience ​ The March on Washington: a protest where King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech Examples of Confronting the Government ​ Truckers Convoy: a movement opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates for cross-border truck drivers ​ Bloody Sunday: a peaceful protest that was met with violence from the government ​ Oka Crisis: a protest by the Mohawk people over rightful ownership of their land ​ Women's Suffrage: a movement arguing for women's right to vote and participate in politics Edmnd Burke: welfare capitalist / humanitarian Why women wanted voting rights: alcohol abuse from men in their life, and child labour laws. Types of authoritarian government: Oligarchy, a select group of powers. Autocracy, power is vested to one person who typically doesn’t have an ideology. Totalitarianism, an extreme form of authoritarian government that holds complete control over politics, society, and individuals. Progressive, revolutionary, radical, reactionary, conservative People in Germany sacrificed rights and freedoms in order for police control to protect them from competing ideologies. People on the street would kill each other if they had different political beliefs, this was a big problem after the Treaty of Versailles since the country was falling apart. Blowback: a foreign policy Liberation movements: Korean war, war in afghanistan, vietnam war.(Unit 2 is 8 chapters) Unit 2 and 3 are mainly about the cold war remember for exam.