POLITICAL LIBERALISM
"I have my rights!" This is a phrase often heard in democratic societies - but what are your rights? And who gave you those rights? This unit will look at the evolution of democracy from the Enlightenment to our modern day. We will summarize how democracy works in Canada and the United States. Then we will look at those societies that reject liberal democracies (dictatorships) and how they can justify their actions. You will need to evaluate as to whether that rejection of liberalism is justified.
LESSON ONE - INTRO TO POLITICAL LIBERALISM
Some other resources:
- Review notes with a discussion of mandatory voting
- RMR Student Vote!
- A discussion of how individualism and collectivism relates to government control (watch for the bias)
- YouTube video with John Ralston Saul discussing the influence of Aboriginal peoples on our democracy (there is also an article summarizing these ideas)
LESSON TWO - DEMOCRACY
Some other resources:
LESSON THREE - ELECTORAL SYSTEMS
Some other resources
- The animal kingdom tries first-past-the-post (this series of videos has great information on various political issues)
- Video explaining first-past-the-post
- Rick Mercer telling you to go out and vote!
- Video explaining the complexities of London Mayoral elections
- An article demonstrating how the electoral system makes things complicated!
LESSON FOUR and FIVE- DEMOCRACY IN CANADA and in THE USA
Some other resources
- Great video explaining Canada's democratic system (especially responsible government)
- Video explaining the difference between a minority and majority government
- Video explaining the responsibilities of the levels of government
- Article discussing Senate attendance records
- Article on Partisanship
- Article on the polarization of politics
- How Canadian Govern Themselves
LESSON SIX - DICTATORSHIPS (THE REJECTION OF POLITICAL LIBERALISM)
6th Video Link (Dictatorship)
FASCISM
COMMUNISM
*there is currently no video for this lesson, the class will be doing lecture notes in class instead
FASCISM
COMMUNISM
*there is currently no video for this lesson, the class will be doing lecture notes in class instead
ASSIGNMENT
Some other resources
ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES
- Red China Blues and Beijing Confidential are great books that help to explain the evolution of communism in China. Written by a Canadian who moved to China, it's insightful and entertaining.
- The Trotsky is a great movie that uses the ideals of socialist revolution
- V for Vendetta shows how democracies can turn into dictatorships by using a crisis