I conduct research on the political economy of capitalism; in particular, on globalization, neoliberalism, corporate power, and the transformation of the state. My research in these various areas focuses on tracking changes to property relations—that is, the rights, entitlements, or obligations in or to things that allow a society to reproduce itself—and the practical and theoretical implications of those transformations, especially as they relate to issues of power and social justice.
This article explores what globalization means for the relationship between Medicare and Canadian... more This article explores what globalization means for the relationship between Medicare and Canadian identity. Typical accounts of this relationship explain it as either the result of deep-seated Canadian values, or as the result of government action in the postwar era. Starting from where the second group leaves off, this article explores how the Medicare identity was the result of very specific capitalist property relations that are now fading. The article begins with an analysis of the origins of modern national identities, linking them to the transformation of property relations that characterized the transition to capitalism. It then focuses on the rise of social rights and how these were used to craft social solidarity among disparate individuals and groups in Canada. The next section focuses on globalization and the shift to neoliberalism. The article concludes with a reflection on what the demise of Medicare might mean for Canadian identity.
The last few years have seen the emergence of a growing academic literature on the blockchain. On... more The last few years have seen the emergence of a growing academic literature on the blockchain. On one side are the supporters, who see its potential to create a true, peer-to-peer (p2p) sharing economy. On the other side are the critics, who argue that the blockchain is more likely to reproduce capitalism than to disrupt it. Using the insights generated by the critical literature on the blockchain, this paper seeks to ask new questions and provide new insights about the development of this technology and how it is likely to transform the global political economy through its capacity to enforce global property rights.
In the context of a revived debate over Canada’s location in the global political economy, this p... more In the context of a revived debate over Canada’s location in the global political economy, this paper highlights two recent changes to the property relations of capitalism that problematize the conceptual framework of theories of imperialism and depend- ency: first, new rights for financial institutions that challenge attempts to surmise meaning from the nationality of capital, and, second, new rights for corporations that restrict nation-states from limiting their accumulation activities.
Following recent criticism of the concept of a transnational state, this paper attempts to defend... more Following recent criticism of the concept of a transnational state, this paper attempts to defend the concept by focusing on the role that property plays in organizing societies. Through an analysis of how the rise of private property reoriented the role of feudal absolutist states, the paper argues that contemporary free trade agreements are transforming nation-states into transnational states by restricting their ability to legislate against corporate interests.
In recent years, a literature on 'Canadian mining imperialism' (CMI) has emerged that suggests th... more In recent years, a literature on 'Canadian mining imperialism' (CMI) has emerged that suggests that the Canadian state's multifaceted support for global mining activities is indicative of Canada's imperial status. While there is little denying the global scope of these activities, this chapter questions whether imperialism is the most appropriate term to describe them? After an overview of the literature on imperialism and globalization, and CMI, we explore some theoretical and empirical problems with this characterization as it relates to firms operating in Latin America. Based on this analysis we argue that the term imperialism obscures more than it reveals. While use of the term may be a satisfying way to denounce the exploitative and environmentally destructive practices of many Canadian-based firms, it does not adequately capture the complexities of the 'new extraction,' such as the extent to which national states in Latin and South America are able to contest the terms of insertion of Northern-based firms or prohibit extraction all together.
Many commentators have been quick to note the revolutionary potential of Bitcoin 2.0 technology ,... more Many commentators have been quick to note the revolutionary potential of Bitcoin 2.0 technology , with some even believing that it represents the coming of a decentralized autonomous society in which humans are freed from centralized forms of power and control. Influenced by neoliberal theory , these individuals are implicitly working on the assumption that 'freedom' means freedom from the state. This neglects that the state can also provide freedom from the vagaries of the market by protecting certain things from commodification. Through an analysis of (1) class and the role of the state; (2) the concentration and centralization of capital; and (3) automation, I argue that the vision of freedom that underpins Bitcoin 2.0 tech is one that neglects the power that capital holds over us. In neglecting this power, I claim that this technology might be far more dystopian than we comprehend, making possible societies that are commodities all the way down.
The Making of Global Capitalism: The Political Economy of American Empire marks Leo Panitch and S... more The Making of Global Capitalism: The Political Economy of American Empire marks Leo Panitch and Sam Gindin’s most recent attempt at furthering their thesis that globalization should be understood as an informal American empire. Their analysis, however, is hampered by three overarching issues that result from their inattention to many of the precepts of historical materialism. First, they treat capital as being predominantly national, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary; second, they treat the nation-state as an actor; and third, they neglect the question of political space, and the extent to which the social relations upon which globalization rests must necessarily also transform the struc- ture and form of existing political institutions. As such, Panitch and Gindin incorrectly label globalization as a form of American imperialism, without being critically reflexive as to the concepts they are using, and the particular nation-state–centric framework through which such concepts operate.
Using atrial fibrillation (AF) as a case, this article examines the contemporary relationship bet... more Using atrial fibrillation (AF) as a case, this article examines the contemporary relationship between the ‘science’ of race, and the development of new pharmacological products. Following from the controversy of the ‘race-based’ congestive heart failure drug BiDil in 2005, this article provides an analysis of the way in which contemporary studies of AF are concerned with developing race-based medicines for populations in which the construction of race is both unscientific, socially contingent, and extremely problematic. Through, one, a historical analysis of the development of the concept of race and sci- entific racism, two, the introduction of BiDil, and, three, the use of race within current studies of AF, this article argues that race-based medical practices are misguided, treating the body as if it holds the answer to what are primarily social problems. It thus recommends the destruction of race as a category of scientific medical practice and research.
This article explores what globalization means for the relationship between Medicare and Canadian... more This article explores what globalization means for the relationship between Medicare and Canadian identity. Typical accounts of this relationship explain it as either the result of deep-seated Canadian values, or as the result of government action in the postwar era. Starting from where the second group leaves off, this article explores how the Medicare identity was the result of very specific capitalist property relations that are now fading. The article begins with an analysis of the origins of modern national identities, linking them to the transformation of property relations that characterized the transition to capitalism. It then focuses on the rise of social rights and how these were used to craft social solidarity among disparate individuals and groups in Canada. The next section focuses on globalization and the shift to neoliberalism. The article concludes with a reflection on what the demise of Medicare might mean for Canadian identity.
The last few years have seen the emergence of a growing academic literature on the blockchain. On... more The last few years have seen the emergence of a growing academic literature on the blockchain. On one side are the supporters, who see its potential to create a true, peer-to-peer (p2p) sharing economy. On the other side are the critics, who argue that the blockchain is more likely to reproduce capitalism than to disrupt it. Using the insights generated by the critical literature on the blockchain, this paper seeks to ask new questions and provide new insights about the development of this technology and how it is likely to transform the global political economy through its capacity to enforce global property rights.
In the context of a revived debate over Canada’s location in the global political economy, this p... more In the context of a revived debate over Canada’s location in the global political economy, this paper highlights two recent changes to the property relations of capitalism that problematize the conceptual framework of theories of imperialism and depend- ency: first, new rights for financial institutions that challenge attempts to surmise meaning from the nationality of capital, and, second, new rights for corporations that restrict nation-states from limiting their accumulation activities.
Following recent criticism of the concept of a transnational state, this paper attempts to defend... more Following recent criticism of the concept of a transnational state, this paper attempts to defend the concept by focusing on the role that property plays in organizing societies. Through an analysis of how the rise of private property reoriented the role of feudal absolutist states, the paper argues that contemporary free trade agreements are transforming nation-states into transnational states by restricting their ability to legislate against corporate interests.
In recent years, a literature on 'Canadian mining imperialism' (CMI) has emerged that suggests th... more In recent years, a literature on 'Canadian mining imperialism' (CMI) has emerged that suggests that the Canadian state's multifaceted support for global mining activities is indicative of Canada's imperial status. While there is little denying the global scope of these activities, this chapter questions whether imperialism is the most appropriate term to describe them? After an overview of the literature on imperialism and globalization, and CMI, we explore some theoretical and empirical problems with this characterization as it relates to firms operating in Latin America. Based on this analysis we argue that the term imperialism obscures more than it reveals. While use of the term may be a satisfying way to denounce the exploitative and environmentally destructive practices of many Canadian-based firms, it does not adequately capture the complexities of the 'new extraction,' such as the extent to which national states in Latin and South America are able to contest the terms of insertion of Northern-based firms or prohibit extraction all together.
Many commentators have been quick to note the revolutionary potential of Bitcoin 2.0 technology ,... more Many commentators have been quick to note the revolutionary potential of Bitcoin 2.0 technology , with some even believing that it represents the coming of a decentralized autonomous society in which humans are freed from centralized forms of power and control. Influenced by neoliberal theory , these individuals are implicitly working on the assumption that 'freedom' means freedom from the state. This neglects that the state can also provide freedom from the vagaries of the market by protecting certain things from commodification. Through an analysis of (1) class and the role of the state; (2) the concentration and centralization of capital; and (3) automation, I argue that the vision of freedom that underpins Bitcoin 2.0 tech is one that neglects the power that capital holds over us. In neglecting this power, I claim that this technology might be far more dystopian than we comprehend, making possible societies that are commodities all the way down.
The Making of Global Capitalism: The Political Economy of American Empire marks Leo Panitch and S... more The Making of Global Capitalism: The Political Economy of American Empire marks Leo Panitch and Sam Gindin’s most recent attempt at furthering their thesis that globalization should be understood as an informal American empire. Their analysis, however, is hampered by three overarching issues that result from their inattention to many of the precepts of historical materialism. First, they treat capital as being predominantly national, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary; second, they treat the nation-state as an actor; and third, they neglect the question of political space, and the extent to which the social relations upon which globalization rests must necessarily also transform the struc- ture and form of existing political institutions. As such, Panitch and Gindin incorrectly label globalization as a form of American imperialism, without being critically reflexive as to the concepts they are using, and the particular nation-state–centric framework through which such concepts operate.
Using atrial fibrillation (AF) as a case, this article examines the contemporary relationship bet... more Using atrial fibrillation (AF) as a case, this article examines the contemporary relationship between the ‘science’ of race, and the development of new pharmacological products. Following from the controversy of the ‘race-based’ congestive heart failure drug BiDil in 2005, this article provides an analysis of the way in which contemporary studies of AF are concerned with developing race-based medicines for populations in which the construction of race is both unscientific, socially contingent, and extremely problematic. Through, one, a historical analysis of the development of the concept of race and sci- entific racism, two, the introduction of BiDil, and, three, the use of race within current studies of AF, this article argues that race-based medical practices are misguided, treating the body as if it holds the answer to what are primarily social problems. It thus recommends the destruction of race as a category of scientific medical practice and research.
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