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Chapter 9

Imposing Liberalism. Chapter 9. To what extent, and for whom, has the imposition of liberalism been successful?.

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Chapter 9

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  1. Imposing Liberalism Chapter 9

  2. To what extent, and for whom,has the imposition of liberalism been successful? • In this chapter, you will examine First Nations, Métis, and Inuit experiences of the imposition of liberalism, as well as examples of the ways in which liberalism is imposed on people in other countries today • Using historical perspectives we can discern... • From whose perspective was the imposition of liberalism beneficial? • From whose perspective was it detrimental? • Are there any accounts which take a middle ground? • Is there justification to reject liberalism?

  3. Culture Clash: Europeans meet First Nations • Core of liberalism is idea of continual progress • Defined as the evolution of liberal democracies towards more civil societies, extension of rights and freedoms. Also holds an economic belief of continued consumption and wealth. • Continual progress and the principles of liberalism stood in contrast to many of the ideas of traditional Aboriginal cultures.

  4. Although individual First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples have their own traditions and conceptions, there are general laws of relationships which are considered common to most Aboriginal cultures: • These are the Laws of Sacred Life (including respect for oneself), Laws of Nature and Laws of Mutual Support. These laws are grounded in the belief that there is a sacred power greater than us, and in the following related principles: • All parts of creation are interconnected and manifest in the spirit of the Creator. • Humankind must live in respectful relationship with all that has been created. • Spiritual forces are gifts intended to aid survival rather than threaten it.

  5. The various conceptual differences between the traditional ideology of the Aboriginal peoples and the emerging liberalism of the immigrant society would eventually lead to misunderstandings in areas such as land ownership, education, work, and governance

  6. As more immigrants arrived from Europe, more land was needed to accommodate them, so it was decided to negotiate treaties that took First Nations land away in exchange for promises of compensation in the form of annual payments, social and economic benefits, and the continued use of their land and resources • First Nations leaders wanted peace and harmony with the European settlers but also to protect and preserve their way of life. This would have brought First Nations into direct opposition of the stated goal of the Federal government which was assimilation of all Aboriginals in Canada.

  7. Government Attempts to Assimilate Aboriginals • Enfranchisement: In a liberal democracy means to extend to a person the right to participate in government via the vote (franchise). Also means to free a person from slavery. • The Gradual Civilization Act, 1857: • Any First Nations man who gave up his official Indian status would be considered ‘enfranchised’, and given 50 acres of land on the reserve for his exclusive use. In addition, he would receive his share of any treaty settlements and other band money. When he died, ownership of the land would be given to his children, and land would thus be removed from the band’s reserve. • Despite government efforts, only one person with Indian status was enfranchised between 1857 and the passing the Indian Act in 1876

  8. Why do you think only one First Nations member accepted enfranchisement as offered by the Federal Government? • Do you think First Nations people on reserves today would reject such an offer if it were made? Why or why not?

  9. Residential Schools • Indian Act 1876 • Defined who an ‘Indian” was in legal terms • Paternalistic and racist in nature • Used as a tool of control and assimilation • Forced enfranchisement to Indians who voted in Federal elections, women who married non-status Indians or Indians who served in Armed Forces.

  10. Contemporary Solutions: Land Claims and theConstitution • Land claims and the non-fulfillment of treaty rights are areas of concern. • Many First Nations bands do not have formal treaties with the Federal Government. • Land claims are often contentious: land (and resources) have become increasingly valuable. • Because Supreme Court has on several occasions upheld treaty rights of First Nations people, the Government is facing hundreds of claims. The process is expensive and time-consuming.

  11. the Canadian government formed the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in 1991 to examine “government policy with respect to the original historical nations of this country”…here is what they proposed… •  the creation of legislation recognizing the sovereignty of Aboriginal peoples, • the creation of institutions of Aboriginal self-government, •  the creation of initiatives to address social, education, health and housing needs • ONE CRITICISM IS THAT THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ENFORCE THIS

  12. So have First Nations People totally rejected liberalism ?

  13. Is it possible to adopt elements of liberalism within the context of another culture or ideology? • The Six Nations Confederacy did practice a form of democracy long before Europeans made contact • West coast Aboriginals practiced an economic system focusing on re-distribution of wealth through potlatches.

  14. Why Impose Liberalism? • The idea of liberal democratic nations imposing liberalism on another country – by force, if necessary – is not new. • Two common arguments for imposing liberalism through intervention are self-interest, and altruism • According to the self-interest argument, exporting liberal democracy has both economic and security benefits • Altruism is the belief that acting for the benefit of others is right and good.

  15. The ‘altruistic’ argument is sometimes used in combination with an argument of self-interest to justify American foreign policy

  16. Examples of the successful imposition of liberal principles for self-interest • United States and Japan, 1945 • WW2 in Pacific ends with dropping of atomic bombs on Japan by U.S. • U.S. Invades, occupies Japan. • U.S. Implements several liberal reforms: • Democratic government • Multiparty, representative • Economic institutions and freedom • End ofkibatsu monopolies • By 1970’s Japan is an economic power rivaling U.S.

  17. Brazil considered ‘economic miracle” • Hong Kong (even communist China left it alone after British lease ended) • South Korea • Taiwan • However, imposing liberalism in a foreign country does not always result in improved living conditions for the citizens of that country, regardless of the good intentions of the countries who intervene.

  18. Examples of failures of imposed liberalism • Vietnam • Contemporary Iraq • Rwanda • Afghanistan?

  19. Why Does Liberalism Fail? • Liberal democracy has difficulty surviving conditions such as unemployment, inflation, and civil unrest in a nation without an existing liberal democratic tradition • Because of this, many nations/nation-states will reject the principles of liberalism

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