Mel Watkins and the continuing evolution of staples theory. Issue 3 (1st September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stanford, Jim
• Is Part Of: Studies in political economy. Volume 101:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 280
• Page End: 287
• Publication Date: 2020-09-01
• Subjects: Economic nationalism -- Mel Watkins -- resource dependence -- staples theory; Economics -- Political aspects -- Periodicals; Socialism -- Periodicals; Economics -- Periodicals; Canada -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Economie politique -- Périodiques; Canada -- Conditions économiques -- Périodiques; Economic history; Economics; Canada; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 330
• DOI: 10.1080/07078552.2020.1849991
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0707-8552

Abstract

Abstract: Mel Watkins re-applied the "staples theory" of Canadian economic history, originally proposed by economic historians including Harold Innis in the 1930s, within the increasingly radical discourse of Canadian political economy in the 1960s and 1970s. In so doing, he helped start a new intellectual and political tradition: the "New Canadian Political Economy." Watkins' analysis of staples industries remains relevant and influential today, in part because of his willingness to adapt and extend that analysis to reflect evolving economic, political, and ecological realities.