Canada in the Global Economy

3 credits · Undergraduate

This seminar course, for senior undergraduates, will explore the relationship between politics and economic life in Canada. The course addresses the placement of Canada in continental and global economies at a time of profound transnational integration and accelerated technological change. It surveys major themes and perspectives in the Canadian political economy tradition and evaluates past and current practices in Canada’s economic governance. It will introduce students to staples, liberal and neo-classical, socialist, and feminist analyses of the nature of Canada's economic development, and the role of the state in economic life. The importance of commercial, industrial and resource sectors will be examined. The transition to the service sector and information economy will be addressed. The impact of Canada's imperial, global and continental relationships will also be considered, including the negotiation and impact of economic and trade agreements. Other themes include the role of women, industrial relations and trade unions, first nations and immigrant communities, and the future evolution of the political economy and economic policy. Students will debate controversial themes on each topic. Student essays will explore a range of contemporary issues including debt, federal-provincial fiscal relations, the economic consequences of Quebec separation, women in the economy, development prospects for First Nations, regional inequality and development programs, immigrants and economic revival, and policies on trade, industrial development, investment, intellectual property, human resources, technological change, poverty and inequality, and the impact of economic forces on national unity. PREREQUISITES: Open to undergraduates who have completed courses in Canadian politics or economic history, or by permission of the instructor. FORMATS: Seminar