Uneasy Partnership : The Politics of Business and Government in Canada, Second Edition

In this new edition of Uneasy Partnership, Geoffrey Hale examines the interdependent relationship between Canadian governments and businesses, considering governments'multiple roles in the economy and their implications for the business environment. Hale provides an overview of the historical dimensions of Canada's political economy and relations between government and business. Readers are invited to consider topics such as corporate power, the implications of Canada's economic structure, regional economic differences, the cross-cutting effects of globalization, and the role of interest groups in political and policy processes. In a thoughtful and well-researched style, Hale lays out how the partnership between business and government in Canada is an uneasy one—and one whose capacity to adapt to ongoing change is essential in an uncertain world. "The Canadian government's pursuit of economic growth is central to its economic policy and to the nature of its relationship with the business community. The government depends on business investment for economic growth vital to the prosperity of citizens, the generation of tax revenues, and enough public satisfaction to win re-election. Businesses depend on the government for stable sets of rules that are necessary for success. They often look to governments for protection against threats to their well-being and for assistance in competing with other businesses. In this new edition of Uneasy Partnership, Geoffrey Hale examines the interdependent relationship between Canadian governments and businesses, considering the political role of the government in the economy and what effect this has on the business environment. Hale provides an overview of the historical dimensions of Canada's political economy and relations between government and business, giving readers background to consider topics such as corporate power, the implications of Canada's economic structure, regional economic differences, and the role of interest groups in political and policy processes, among others. In a thoughtful and well-researched style, Hale lays out how the partnership between business and government in Canada is an uneasy one--and one whose capacity to adapt to ongoing changes is essential in an uncertain world."-- Provided by publisher "The Canadian government's pursuit of economic growth is central to its economic policy and to the nature of its relationship with the business community. The government depends on business investment for economic growth vital to the prosperity of citizens, the generation of tax revenues, and enough public satisfaction to win re-election. Businesses depend on the government for stable sets of rules that are necessary for success. They often look to governments for protection against threats to their well-being and for assistance in competing with other businesses. In this new edition of Uneasy Partnership, Geoffrey Hale examines the interdependent relationship between Canadian governments and businesses, considering the political role of the government in the economy and what effect this has on the business environment. Hale provides an overview of the historical dimensions of Canada's political economy and relations between government and business, giving readers background to consider topics such as corporate power, the implications of Canada's economic structure, regional economic differences, and the role of interest groups in political and policy processes, among others. In a thoughtful and well-researched style, Hale lays out how the partnership between business and government in Canada is an uneasy one--and one whose capacity to adapt to ongoing changes is essential in an uncertain world."--Résumé de l'éditeur "The Canadian government's pursuit of economic growth is central to its economic policy and to the nature of its relationship with the business community. The government depends on business investment for economic growth vital to the prosperity of citizens, the generation of tax revenues, and enough public satisfaction to win re-election. Businesses depend on the government for stable sets of rules that are necessary for success. They often look to governments for protection against threats to their well-being and for assistance in competing with other businesses. In this new edition of Uneasy Partnership, Geoffrey Hale examines the interdependent relationship between Canadian governments and businesses, considering the political role of the government in the economy and what effect this has on the business environment. Hale provides an overview of the historical dimensions of Canada's political economy and relations between government and business, giving readers background to consider topics such as corporate power, the implications of Canada's economic structure, regional economic differences, and the role of interest groups in political and policy processes, among others. In a thoughtful and well-researched style, Hale lays out how the partnership between business and government in Canada is an uneasy one ... and one whose capacity to adapt to ongoing changes is essential in an uncertain world." .. Contents 6 Tables 8 Boxes 11 Figures 12 1: Business, Government, and the Politics of Mutual Dependence 14 2: State, Business, and Society: The Political Roles of Government 26 3: The Economic Roles of Government 52 4: Canada’s Economic History: Government, Business, and the Politics of Development and Distribution 78 5: Corporate Power in Canada: Nature, Extent, and Limits 124 6: Canada’s Economic Structure: Diversity, Dynamism, and the Political Economy of Business-Government Relations 156 7: Federalism, Regionalism, and Provincial Diversity 182 8: Globalization, Trade, and Business 218 9: Canada’s Crown Corporations and the Changing Face of State Capitalism 246 10: The Political Marketplace: Interest Groups, Policy Communities, and Lobbying 278 11: The Evolving Political Economy of Business Taxation 304 12: Putting the “Capital” into Capitalism: The Political Economy of Canada’s Evolving Capital-Market Policies 332 13: Growth, Equity, and Sustainability: Pursuing Positive-Sum Policies in a Shrinking World 358 Glossary 384 Bibliography 400 Index 436