The State, Business, and Industrial Change in Canada (State and Economic Life)

The late twentieth century has seen profound changes in the character of the international economic order. According to the authors of this study, Canada has failed to come to terms with those changes. Our industrial policy is diffuse, ad hoc, and sectoral. Michael Atkinson and William Coleman argue that in order to analyse Canada’s industrial policy effectively, particular attention must be given to industry organization, state structures, and systems of interest intermediation at the sectoral level. To make such an analysis they introduce the concept of policy network, and apply it to three types of industrial sectors: the research-intensive sectors of telecommunications manufacturing and pharmaceuticals; the rapidly changing sectors of petrochemicals and meat processing; and the contracting and troubled sectors of textiles, clothing, and dairy processing. Through the lens of these sectors Coleman and Atkinson shed considerable light on the intersection of political considerations and policy development, and offer a new base on which to move forward in planning for economic growth. Annotation The late twentieth century has seen profound changes in the character of the international economic order. According to the authors of this study, Canada has failed to come to terms with those changes. Our industrial policy is diffuse, ad hoc, and sectoral. Michael Atkinson and William Coleman argue that in order to analyse Canada's industrial policy effectively, particular attention must be given to industry organization, state structures, and systems of interest intermediation at the sectoral level. To make such an analysis they introduce the concept of policy network, and apply it to three types of industrial sectors: the research-intensive sectors of telecommunications manufacturing and pharmaceuticals; the rapidly changing sectors of petrochemicals and meat processing; and the contracting and troubled sectors of textiles, clothing, and dairy processing. Through the lens of these sectors Coleman and Atkinson shed considerable light on the intersection of political considerations and policy development, and offer a new base on which to move forward in planning for economic growth Contents 7 Preface 9 Abbreviations 11 Introduction: Political Institutions and Public Policy 13 PART ONE. State and Economy: An Institutional Perspective 27 1. Industrial Policy Options in a Changing Global Context 27 2. Industry Structure, Business Dominance, and Industrial Policy 44 3. State Tradition, Bureaucratic Culture, and Industrial Policy 65 4. Policy Networks and Sector Strategies 89 PART TWO. The Political Economy of Industrial Policy 109 5. The Political Economy of International Expansion: Telecommunications Manufacturing 109 6. The Political Economy of Domestic Expansion: Pharmaceuticals 134 7. The Political Economy of Transition: Petrochemicals and Meat Processing 154 8. The Political Economy of Retrenchment: Textiles, Clothing, and Dairy Products 174 Conclusion: The State and Policy Options 197 APPENDIX. General Format of Interviews with Public Officials 209 Notes 213 Index 241 Preface -- Abbreviations -- Introduction: Political Institutions And Public Policy -- Industrial Policy Options In A Changing Global Context -- Industry Structure, Business Dominance, And Industrial Policy -- State Tradition, Bureaucratic Culture, And Industrial Policy -- Policy Networks And Sector Strategies -- The Political Economy Of International Expansion: Telecommunications Manufacturing -- The Political Economy Of Domestic Expansion: Pharmaceuticals -- The Political Economy Of Transition: Petrochemicals And Meat Processing -- The Political Economy Of Retrenchment: Textiles, Clothing, And Dairy Products -- Conclusion: The State And Policy Options -- Appendix -- Notes -- Index Michael M. Atkinson And William D. Coleman. Includes Bibliographical References.