ABSTRACT

International trade must be analysed within the historical context within which it occurs. Behind the statistics on trade flows lie power structures, class interests and international hierarchies. These change over time and how countries respond to them has critical implications for their citizen’s well-being.

In this book, the history of trade in Australia, Canada and Mexico is analysed.  Trade agreements are analysed in detail to explore the new forms that dependence and subordination have taken. Arguing that the free trade agreements are significantly biased in favour of the United States, the contributors analyse how each of the three countries are being subject to specific forms of re-peripheralisation and examine possible alternatives for a progressive future based on an integration in the global economy which enhances, rather than limits, democracy and social justice. By providing an historical and critical account of trade policy in the three countries, the book provides a welcome antidote to the ahistorical accounts of free trade supporters.

chapter 1|13 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|20 pages

From lucky country to banana republic?

The political economy of Australian development in a long-run perspective

chapter 3|19 pages

The Australia–US Free Trade Agreement

Reinforcing reperipheralisation 1

chapter 4|19 pages

Contesting neoliberal globalism in Australia

Opportunities for progressive alternatives

chapter 5|16 pages

State formation and class formations within the global context

The political economy of Canadian development in a long-run perspective

chapter 6|17 pages

Canada's free trade agreements with the USA and Mexico

The exaggeration of North American trade

chapter 7|18 pages

Contesting neoliberal globalism in Canada

A sovereign country in an interdependent world 1

chapter 8|18 pages

From the Frontier of the Empire

The political economy of Mexican development in a long-run perspective

chapter 9|20 pages

Mexico and the North American Free Trade Agreement

Reperipheralisation under the labour export-led model 1

chapter 10|17 pages

Contesting neoliberal globalism in Mexico

Challenges for the political and the social left

chapter 11|14 pages

Reperipheralisation and its alternatives

Comparative conclusions