1. Exploring Individualism
1.7 – Examine individualism as a key value of ideology (individual rights and freedoms, self-interest, competition, economic freedom, rule of law, private property)
Chapter 2

2. Should the values of individualism shape an ideology?

3. Individualism and Liberalism
Liberalism: ideology based on the importance of individual liberty and the values of individualism
Values of liberalism:
- individual rights and freedoms
self-interest
competition
economic freedom
rule of law
private property

4. The emergence of individualism in Europe
People defined by group individual begins to People begin to
or class they belong to become a focus of believe that individuals
Individualism is not interest should have the right to
promoted or valued own property, travel freely, speak freely, be
treated equally. Sparks
revolutions in America and France

5. The Rise of Liberalism
During the American and French Revolutions, people fought for liberal ideas such as individual rights and freedoms
During the 1900s, liberal democracies began to develop in many countries around the world. A liberal democracy is a form of government in which the rights of the individual are guaranteed. People can vote for the leaders of their country
Values of liberalism came to be expressed in three different ways: political, economic, and social

6. Political aspects of Liberalism
Focuses on the idea that all members of society have the same legal rights and freedoms, regardless of their gender, race or economic status
Economic aspects of Liberalism
Focuses on the individual’s right to property and the removal of gov’t control in economic markets, so that the value of goods and services is decided by individuals not the gov’t
Social aspects of Liberalism
Focuses on the idea that individuals are the basis of society, and as such, all people in society should be treated as equals

7. Political
Revolutions promoted rights and freedoms – guaranteed by Constitutions
Rule of Law: the idea that the law itself, and not an individual, has the greatest power and that all individuals are subject to the law
Social Contract: Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau....each individual of a society agrees to be governed so that he/she may gain the benefits of living in that society
Individual rights and freedoms such as freedom of religion, right to vote, etc.

8. Freedom of expression – read p.51-53
How did Keegstra’s individual right to free expression conflict with the rights of others?

9. Economic
Freedom to buy what you want and to sell your labour are economic freedoms. Many people choose jobs based on their self-interests.
Private property – should individuals have the right to own property or should property be owned by the government? 3 types: real estate, physical possessions, intellectual property (artists works)

10. Social
As liberalism grew in the late 1800s and into the 1900s, more and more people started favouring a government role to protect the poor
Health care...a good thing? At what point does the focus shift from the individual to the group?
Right to education (public, separate, Francophone, private, charter, First Nations)
Capital punishment...

11. Someone who believes in protecting the rights and freedoms of the whole group (collectivism) might argue the following:
Someone who believes in protecting the rights and freedoms of the individual (individualism) might argue the following:
The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. The general public’s safety is more important than a dangerous criminal’s right to life
Human life is sacred. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees every individual’s right to life
By violating the rights of another person, a murderer gives up his/her own rights
Individuals can change and may turn their lives around
Capital punishment may discourage others from committing murder
The courts can make a fatal mistake. In the past, innocent people have been executed for crimes they did not commit

12. The Canadian government abolished the death penalty in 1976
The Canadian government abolished the death penalty in In 1987, Members of Parliament voted against reinstating the death penalty. However, polls in 1987 showed that approximately 70% of Canadians were in favour of the death penalty.
Why would a majority of elected officials vote against popular opinion?

13. Look at the following case studies:
Music downloading (p.64)
Airport arrest (#3, p.65)

14. Question:
Should we be able to download music for free illegally? Why or why not?

15. Question:
- Should Star Simpson’s individual freedom of expression have been limited? Why or why not?