Complexities of Liberalism in Practice To what extent should democratic governments promote and protect individual and collective rights?

Promoting Rights Fundamental Rights From a philosophical perspective they are necessary for an individual to enjoy free will or personal autonomy. Include: rights to life, liberty and personal safety

Protection of Rights in Liberal Democracies Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982) Rights legislation is strongly protected by the law – cannot be modified without extensive consultation with the public There are limits to individual rights – no individual has the right to infringe upon the rights of others

Protection of Rights in Liberal Democracies Constitutions in Dictatorships Discuss the following statement: The state…guarantees the liberty and the full dignity of man, the enjoyment of rights, the exercise and fulfillment of his duties and the integral development of his personality. Constitution of the Republic of Cuba, 1992. Article 9 Compare this with Section 10 of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms p. 373 What conclusions about the protection of rights and freedoms can you draw from this comparison?

Promotion of Collective Rights Group rights are often achieved only by an extension of individual rights. Collective rights refer primarily to rights of minority groups and usually include rights to official language and aboriginal peoples. Collective rights retain the form of individual rights but they are applied to groups rather than individuals.

Balancing Perceived Common Good with Respect for Rights Question for inquiry: How do Liberal democracies balance the perceived common good with the need to respect rights? Read the Article on page 381 Discuss the relationship between the “common good” and the “respect for rights”.

Balancing Perceived Common Good with Respect for Rights Read the chart/Table on page 382 Discuss the relationship between the “common good” and the “respect for rights”.

The fundamental French language rights in Quebec are: The right to have the civil administration, the health services and social services, the public utility enterprises, the professional corporations, the associations of employees and all enterprises doing business in Quebec communicate with the public in French. (article 2) The right to speak French in deliberative assemblies. (article 3) The right of workers to carry on their activities in French. (article 4) The right of consumers to be informed and served in French. (article 5) The right of persons eligible for instruction in Quebec to receive that instruction in French. (article 6)

Balancing Perceived Common Good with Respect for Rights Read Pages 390 to 392 on Restrictions on Religious Symbolism. What is the relationship between the respect for liberal rights and freedoms and the common good?

Questions to be Answered How do Liberal democracies balance the perceived common good with the need to respect rights? What is the relationship between the respect for liberal rights and freedoms and the common good? When and in what circumstances is it reasonable for the democratically elected authority (Liberal Government) to restrict or regulate the rights and freedoms of people?

Within reasonable limits, real or perceived threats to national security and public safety? Agreed or Disagreed