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3.10: Discussion Questions

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    1. Imagine yourself behind Rawls’s ‘veil of ignorance,’ deciding on the basic parameters of a just society without any idea of what your life-circumstances will be in that society once the ‘veil’ is lifted. Would you settle on a reform liberal society? Why or why not?
    2. J.S. Mill thought that people should be allowed to express any idea – including ideas that members of racialized and other marginalized groups find deeply offensive – partly because he believed that good ideas would gradually overcome bad ones in free debate. Do you agree?
    3. Do you think liberalism will be able to adapt to the many diverse views in today’s globalized society, or will it fade away? Why? If it does die, what do you think will be most likely to replace it?

    Attribution

    From Dr. Gregory Millard and Dr. Valérie Vézina, "Liberalism: From the 'Free Men' to the 'Free Market,'" CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    My Discussion Questions

    1. How do liberals define liberty? Be sure to discuss threats, limited government, the rule of law, and negative/positive aspects.

    2. What is the importance of individualism and reason to Liberalism?

    3. What is meant by ‘foundational’ equality, and how does this relate to meritocracy?

    4. Compare and contrast Classical Liberalism and Reform Liberalism.

    5. Describe neoliberalism and its prescriptions for political economy.


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