
Racing to the Bottom?
Provincial Interdependence in the Canadian Federation
Kathryn Harrison(Editor)
University of British Columbia Press
Will be published approx. on 1. July 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-0-7748-1226-9 (ISBN)
Description
The spectre of a "race to the bottom" is increasinglyprominent in debates about globalization and also within federalsystems where the mobility of both capital and individuals promptsfears of interjurisdictional competition with respect to taxes andenvironmental and welfare standards. While there has been no shortageof either political rhetoric or academic theorizing on this subject,empirical studies have been in shorter supply. This volume seeks tofill that gap by asking: Are Canadian provinces engaged in a race tothe bottom and, if so, what are the consequences?
The contributors apply insights from economics and political scienceto several policy fields. What emerges is a theoretical and empiricalpicture of interprovincial competition that shows it to be more complexthan the popular image of a race to the bottom and that alsocontradicts predictions of an inexorable downward spiral.
This timely, practical volume will be of interest to public policypractitioners, as well as to students and scholars of economics andpolitical science.
The contributors apply insights from economics and political scienceto several policy fields. What emerges is a theoretical and empiricalpicture of interprovincial competition that shows it to be more complexthan the popular image of a race to the bottom and that alsocontradicts predictions of an inexorable downward spiral.
This timely, practical volume will be of interest to public policypractitioners, as well as to students and scholars of economics andpolitical science.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Vancouver
Canada
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
54 b&w illustrations, 8 tables
Dimensions
Height: 227 mm
Width: 164 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
467 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7748-1226-9 (9780774812269)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Kathryn Harrison is associate professor in theDepartment of Political Science at the University of British Columbia,and author of Passing the Buck: Federalism and CanadianEnvironmental Policy.
Content
Figures and Tables / vii
Acknowledgments / xi
1 Provincial Interdependence: Concepts and Theories / 1 KathrynHarrison
2 A Race to the Bottom in Provincial Business Taxation in Canada? /25 Kenneth J. McKenzie
3 Still in the Game: Efforts to Govern Economic DevelopmentCompetition in Canada / 49 Douglas M. Brown
4 Follow the Leader and Dominoes: Games that Provinces Play inTobacco Taxation / 73 Kathryn Harrison
5 Environmental Policy in Canada: Harmonized at the Bottom? / 113Nancy Olewiler
6 Slouching toward the Bottom? Provincial Social AssistanceProvision in Canada, 1980-2000 / 157 Gerard W. Boychuk
7 Races to the Bottom versus Races to the Middle: Minimum WageSetting in Canada / 193 David A. Green and KathrynHarrison
8 Policy Races in the American States / 229 Mark CarlRom
9 Are Canadian Provinces Engaged in a Race to the Bottom? Evidenceand Implications / 257 Kathryn Harrison
Works Cited / 271
Contributors / 291
Index / 293
Acknowledgments / xi
1 Provincial Interdependence: Concepts and Theories / 1 KathrynHarrison
2 A Race to the Bottom in Provincial Business Taxation in Canada? /25 Kenneth J. McKenzie
3 Still in the Game: Efforts to Govern Economic DevelopmentCompetition in Canada / 49 Douglas M. Brown
4 Follow the Leader and Dominoes: Games that Provinces Play inTobacco Taxation / 73 Kathryn Harrison
5 Environmental Policy in Canada: Harmonized at the Bottom? / 113Nancy Olewiler
6 Slouching toward the Bottom? Provincial Social AssistanceProvision in Canada, 1980-2000 / 157 Gerard W. Boychuk
7 Races to the Bottom versus Races to the Middle: Minimum WageSetting in Canada / 193 David A. Green and KathrynHarrison
8 Policy Races in the American States / 229 Mark CarlRom
9 Are Canadian Provinces Engaged in a Race to the Bottom? Evidenceand Implications / 257 Kathryn Harrison
Works Cited / 271
Contributors / 291
Index / 293