Economic policy-making in Canada has increasingly come to reflect the conservative, free- market perspective of mainstream neoclassical economics. Perhaps even more worrisome is the dearth of critical alternatives to the neoclassical training of new economists in Canada. This suggests that future economists and future public policy debates will be even more dominated by the precepts of laissez faire.
We feel an urgent need to promote an alternative, progressive economics community in Canada. If we do not train new economists in diverse approaches to economic thought, and provide these individuals with research support, outlets for their work, and employment opportunities, then the economics profession seems destined to become an increasingly uniform bastion of uncritical free-market thinking.
Of course many progressive economists in Canada are dismayed by this right-wing trend in economic policy, and the corresponding narrowing of the intellectual spectrum in economics education. It is time for us to join forces to make our collective, critical perspective heard. Rather than retreating into small ghettoes of progressive thought in universities, unions, or elsewhere, we must engage in public debate with the economic orthodoxy over the causes and consequences of economic stagnation in Canada, and work cooperatively to promote more humane and effective solutions to our economic problems.
We are asking you to participate in the Progressive Economics Forum. The general goal of the Forum will be to promote the development of a progressive economics community in Canada among academics, students, non-academic economists, and social justice activists. Specific activities could include the hosting of conferences or panels; the publication of a newsletter, a membership directory, job postings, and/or research abstracts; support for critical-thinking economics students; and many others.
The Progressive Economics Forum was formally launched with a founding business meeting and discussion panel at the 1998 Learned Societies conference in Ottawa. Over 125 people attended the discussion panel, indicating the wide desire for an alternative to free-market thinking. The business agenda of the founding meeting included the adoption of a name and simple structure, and the election of an initial steering committee.
For further information on the Forum, please e-mail to leftecon@web.net,
or
write to Suite 1306 - 2000 Barrington St., Halifax, N.S., B3J 3K1.
Jim Stanford
Economist, Canadian Auto Workers
Suite 1306 - 2000 Barrington St.
Halifax, N.S. B3K 3K1
1-800-565-1272 (902) 455-9327
fax (902) 454-9473
email stanford@caw.ca