Business and politics : a study of collective action / William D. Coleman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Coleman, William D. (William Donald), 1950-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Professional associations--Canada.

Professional associations.

Business and politics--Canada.

Business and politics.

Trade associations--Canada.

Trade associations.

Canada--Politics and government--1980-.

Canada.

Physical Description:

xv, 336 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Kingston [Ont.] : McGill-Queen's University Press, c1988.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Based on a survey of all national business associations, and interviews with many interest-group executives, Business and Politics outlines the wide variety of roles assumed by interest groups in the Canadian policy process. Coleman argues that the present fragmention of business interests makes consultation with major socio-economic producer groups highly unlikely. Instead, adjustment takes place as a series of ad hoc bailouts related to an electoral calculus rather than to a more reflective consideration of the longer-term evolution of the Canadian economy and the relative economic position of Canadians. As there are no organizations that prompt business to take a broad look at its responsibilities to society at large, some economic policy options that political leaders might want to consider are ruled out. Attempts to redress difficulties in the Canadian economy and social welfare system consequently suffer. Coleman concludes that the business community is not appropriately accountable to Canadians for its actions, nor is it sufficiently organized to assume the political responsibilities that come with the private economic power it possesses. He argues that Canada could benefit from examining models of the political institutions in smaller European states and adopting some of their solutions for reform in this country.

Contents:

Front Matter

Contents

Tables and Figures

Preface

Collective Action by Business

The Political Responsibility of Business

An Overview of Business Associations

Framework for Analysis

Policy Networks and Associative Action

Business Associations

General Business Associations

Agriculture and Corporatism

Construction

Resources: Forestr and Mining

Finance: Clientelism and Self-Regulation

Manufacturing: A Divided Community

Business and Society

Fragmentation: Two Foreign Comparisons

State Institutions and Business Association

Business and Democracy

Association Domain 1867-1980

Notes

Index

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliography and index.

ISBN:

0-7735-6163-3

OCLC:

1394872435