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The Canadian State
Inspired by trailblazing work in the field, this wide-ranging collection makes an essential and timely intervention through new theoretical contributions that build on decades of critical analysis of the Canadian state as an agent active in capitalist development in a global era. The Canadian State explores the state’s distinctive role in the development of a political economy shaped by capitalism and settler colonialism. Paying critical attention to how the state exercises accumulation, legitimation, and coercion in unique ways, the book provides an essential guide to understanding the multidimensional character of Canada's contemporary state form. Leading contributors in their field provide cutting edge chapters on settler colonialism, land ownership, extractivism, energy, services, care work, democracy, finance, commercialization, employment, and trade and investment.
- GenresCanada
288 pages, Paperback
Published May 15, 2025
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July 20, 2026
The Canadian State is an outstanding and timely collection that offers a sophisticated examination of the Canadian state through the lenses of political economy, capitalism, and settler colonialism. Edited by Heather Whiteside and Stephen McBride, this volume successfully brings together leading scholars to provide a comprehensive and critical understanding of how the Canadian state has evolved and continues to shape economic, political, and social life.
One of the collection's greatest strengths is its broad yet coherent scope. Rather than viewing the state simply as a neutral governing institution, the contributors explore its active role in processes of accumulation, legitimation, and coercion. This perspective provides readers with a richer understanding of how public institutions interact with markets, capital, labour, and society in the contemporary global economy.
I particularly appreciated the book's interdisciplinary approach. By integrating discussions of settler colonialism, extractivism, finance, energy, land ownership, employment, care work, democracy, commercialization, and international trade, the volume demonstrates the complexity of Canada's political economy while showing how these issues are deeply interconnected. Each chapter contributes a valuable piece to a larger analytical framework.
The scholarship throughout is rigorous, insightful, and highly relevant. The contributors successfully connect theoretical analysis with contemporary policy challenges, making the collection valuable not only for academics but also for policymakers, students, and readers interested in understanding Canada's evolving place within global capitalism.
Equally impressive is the volume's ability to build upon decades of critical scholarship while introducing fresh theoretical perspectives. It encourages readers to think critically about the changing role of the state in addressing economic inequality, environmental challenges, Indigenous sovereignty, democratic governance, and globalization.
The Canadian State stands as an essential resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Canada's political economy and the complex forces shaping the modern state. It is an important and highly valuable contribution to contemporary political and social scholarship.
One of the collection's greatest strengths is its broad yet coherent scope. Rather than viewing the state simply as a neutral governing institution, the contributors explore its active role in processes of accumulation, legitimation, and coercion. This perspective provides readers with a richer understanding of how public institutions interact with markets, capital, labour, and society in the contemporary global economy.
I particularly appreciated the book's interdisciplinary approach. By integrating discussions of settler colonialism, extractivism, finance, energy, land ownership, employment, care work, democracy, commercialization, and international trade, the volume demonstrates the complexity of Canada's political economy while showing how these issues are deeply interconnected. Each chapter contributes a valuable piece to a larger analytical framework.
The scholarship throughout is rigorous, insightful, and highly relevant. The contributors successfully connect theoretical analysis with contemporary policy challenges, making the collection valuable not only for academics but also for policymakers, students, and readers interested in understanding Canada's evolving place within global capitalism.
Equally impressive is the volume's ability to build upon decades of critical scholarship while introducing fresh theoretical perspectives. It encourages readers to think critically about the changing role of the state in addressing economic inequality, environmental challenges, Indigenous sovereignty, democratic governance, and globalization.
The Canadian State stands as an essential resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Canada's political economy and the complex forces shaping the modern state. It is an important and highly valuable contribution to contemporary political and social scholarship.
Displaying 1 of 1 review