Has capitalism evolved to aid more people or cause more inequality?

 Is capitalism a system that has become transformed as suggested by Professor Reich? Does capitalism merit the reverence it once did or has it become outdated? Prof. Reich suggests that meritocracy is no longer in place as it once was. What is your take on Prof. Reich's ideas? As he ends, he asks the question: Is the system fair? To complement this question also watch this Ted Talk video on whether or not capitalism will always have inequality at the core of the system. Respond with your position on this question, and please remember to back your thoughts with links and coursework content. Prof. Reich’s video can be found here .  When considering your position and defence watch both videos to help you shape your response. Please don't forget to add a link to a video that will aid in your defence of your paper.

 Liberalism vs Neo-Liberalism

Define Neo-liberalism and liberalism with examples of each term. How are the two definitions similar yet quite different. In the video Chomsky proposes that neo liberalism is anti-democratic and we should be cautious of those who propose this is the way to go. On the other hand, those who believe liberalism continues to offer the path to a better society. What side are you on and how do you support your position. Use course content and/or examples we’ve viewed/discussed to respond. I will not expect you to research as much as as the last blog response but nevertheless, your response should be around 300-500 hundred words. Please place your answers in the space provided as usual as I don’t want the responses emailed to me.  You can find the main video here and for more ideas to think about, watch this one.  TY

How Wealth Inequality Spiraled Out of Control – Robert Reich

 

Capitalism (Classic Liberalism), as A. Smith saw it, was to allow all people to create wealth. According to this video, why isn’t this so? What are some roadblocks to achieving a share of the country’s wealth? Why is wealth associated with political power? How does Professor Reich see meritocracy being destroyed by increasing gaps in wealth throughout society? What steps did Teddy Roosevelt take to create a more equitable society? If people like A. Smith or JS Mills were to comment on this video, what would they say about the wealth gap? What should be done, according to Reich? The video link can be found here and if you want a deeper dive, then use this one.

Discuss the pros and cons Reich of the video message. Then, take a stand (position) on the video and discuss it with evidence from the two included links.

The Shock Doctrine - Naomi Klein

Noami Klein believes that the shock doctrine is advocated as a means to disrupt societies and put in policies that are against the will of the people. Describe how this is done according to the video. Given what we've studied in class what parallels can you see between what you viewed in the video and in today's society. Take a position on the video and if you support it, describe why you do and if not, also describe why you do don't. You can find the video here but you can look up Klein on a good search for more information if needed.

Indigenous Issues and Contributions to Canadian Nationalism

 Indigenous Issues Blog Response



How does Indigenous issues impact Canadian nationalism? Why should all Canadians care about the issues facing indigenous people’s? What values have indigenous culture added to our understanding of ourselves as a country?  How can we use our knowledge of past historical actions with the indigenous people to push our country forward?  In the video attached to this article, PM Harper apologies for the residential school system. Do his words have meaning in our understanding of struggles faced by our indigenous peoples?

Ask yourself these questions after your above research.  How have the Indigenous People aided in the development of Canadian Nationalism. Has Canada provided enough retribution and incentive for indigenous people to keep moving forward in the future?

Start your research buy clicking here.

Is privatization a positive step for society?

 We live in a capitalist society and as such we rejoice in the freedom of the market place. The standard argument of greater efficiency and lower taxes in the bait used to convince people that privatization is in their interest; or is it? Professor Reich argues that their are 5 reasons to privatize. Evaluate the rationale provided and ask yourself if it holds true or not. You can find his video here.  For more information, Professor Chomsky, a world renowned intellect adds his reasoning to whether or not privatization is a natural phenomenon of capitalism or if it makes capitalism less appealing for the common good and his video can be found here.  Take a position on privatization and support your thesis using course activity and link/s you have found. 

How much freedom do we have under capitalism? Myth or reality?

I used the following source on purpose as it is very hard on capitalism as an economic system. The perspective of this source is certainly from the left but is it fair? What are the best couple of arguments that are used against capitalism and what can you counter those arguments with? Surely, an economic system which has brought to us standard of living and longevity cannot be all that bad? Sort out for yourself what side you would fall on. Do we keep the system as is, or, do we replace it with something else? What ideas do you have and how will you support those ideas (citations) ? The video can be found here. If you want more on this topic, check out this short article here.

 

Which political party best represents your interest?

 The following link will give you information about our political parties in Canada. I want you to pick out of the various ones listed the top two you would choose to support.  Provide their main ideas and why one party would be better than the other. Defend using social studies material (eg. philosophers) why you chose the one you did.

Include two outside links that support your view and paste them into the answer section in the quiz.

Are humans really a kinder, gentler species?

Rutger Bregman is a Dutch author and historian and argues that people are essentially good.  Yet, we hear and see on the news the 'dark' of human behavior from violence towards each other, criminal behavior to political grift, etc. This is important to consider when deciding what type of societal rules and/or laws should be implemented. What does society look like if we take this outlook on society? On the other hand, we can adopt views like Bregman's and then craft a society with different laws and/or regulations.  Given what we have studies and witness through our studies what point between positive or negative regard do you have regarding human behavior? Back up your discussion with two links that would support your point of view. The link to the 30-minute program could be found here.

Two Pandemics with Robert Reich

I follow this economist from Berkley and he worked under the Bush and Clinton administration. He argues how the covid crisis threatens people in different classes in different ways. Using what you've learning about liberalism is he thinking sound? How can you related the enlightenment thinkers to his understanding of the crisis? Are there examples of what he is saying that could be generalized into other areas of our society? Take a stand on what you see as a solution to the problem/s he has spoken to.  The video can be found here.

Capital over People?

This article was written by Hamilton Nolan who sees the priority of the government to let capital build despite what the consequences would be on the general population.  Given what you've taken in the development of liberalism, the Enlightenment thinkers, the Industrial Revolution, what should be the response to economic concerns? How do our ideologies conflict in this regard? Do we see any evidence of the impact on the economy and how to handle it here in Canada? Finally, take a position on what you feel is the best course of action for us to take in light of this pandemic. The article can be found here.

The 1% grabbed 82% of the worlds wealth in 2019

This report is a few years old but reflects the general trend. Why is this happening? Who would approve/disapprove of these actions? Which side are you on and why? Use social studies theory to back up your argument/s. The article can be found here.

Is neoliberalism destroying the world?

Great discussion from a CBC Ideals program. It is about an hour in length but well with pondering. It shares ideas about some of the economists we deal with as well in SS30. Would love to hear your responses to the program. You can find the program here.

Is this what people want?

As many of you know already, I love Noam Chomsky's work. In this video he speaks to an interviewer about what motivates people. The interviewer give his opinion and then the 'man' responds. Do you agree with Chomsky or is the interviewer right? How do we decide what are the factors that motivate people to strive or not strive forward? The short video can be found here.

Wealth Distribution in Canada

When we look at wealth distribution in Canada, are there issues we need to deal with? If so, what are they? If not, why not? Provide a thoughtful response to illustrate what is important to consider when it comes to income distribution in Canada. Please do not forget to display how this relates to our curriculum coverage within economics.  You can find the video but clicking following link: Wealth Distribution in Canada.

Health Care, Individual or Collective Issue

In an exchange between a Canadian doctor and a US senator on health care what issues become apparent? What ideologies do you see that impacts this issue? What are the pro's and con's of each position? How should the issue be resolved?  The video is found here.

Heart-Wrenching Video: Starving Polar Bear on Iceless Land | National Ge...

We forget that climate change is not just effecting human life... oh hum.

EPA - Let's just change the rules!

About four and a half minutes into the Rachel Maddow show an Obama EPA administrator enters and is interviewed for a few minutes. Apparently, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is scrapping the website that contained information about climate change and other environmental impacts on people. This was bought data from the American people. What is the implication of this? I think Voltaire must be spinning in his grave!

Trump's irony displayed in India

In Mumbai (formally Bombay) there is a billboard advertising how to live according to Donald Trump. In the backdrop you see children living on the street. What messages does this send to those who see the billboard? How does one relate to this image? Given what you have learned and have been witnessed to with all the Trump news, how does one make sense of this? Article can be found here.

Dakota Pipeline

Fitting post as we are discussing the variances of political power. This also will help dive into aboriginal issues shortly. When we think of politics, does this video/s insight images of illiberalism? If so, how so, if not, why not? How does the video or videos if you want to watch one more here, speak to politics, economics and our society? What resolutions to the problem/s displayed do you see which will lead to 'progress'?