Capitalism and Dispossession: Corporate Canada at Home and Abroad

This edited collection examines the role of Canadian corporations in producing, deepening, and exacerbating conditions of dispossession both at home and abroad. It combines and synthesizes analyses of dispossession within and outside of Canada, highlighting the connections between settler colonialism and corporate activity. The book includes a range of theoretical approaches and critical analyses of capitalism and its implications on marginalized peoples.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2022
Publisher: Fernwood Publishing Co Ltd

This edited collection presents a comprehensive examination of the significant role that Canadian corporations have played in perpetuating,deepening, and exacerbating conditions of dispossession both domestically and internationally. Rather than being portrayed as isolated incidents of exceptional greed or malice,the cases presented herein are seen as predictable and inherent outcomes of contemporary capitalism and/or settler colonialism. At its core,this book aims to amalgamate and synthesize analyses of dispossession within and beyond Canada,a goal that is often overlooked in the literature,which tends to treat these processes as distinct and unrelated phenomena. However,it is crucial to recognize that these processes are frequently interconnected,as the normalization of settler colonialism at home can lead to apathy and acceptance of dispossession perpetrated by Canadian companies abroad. By bringing together local and global cases,this book seeks to provide a rigorous analysis of the role that Canadian corporate activity has played in processes of dispossession.

The book incorporates a diverse range of theoretical frameworks that are interconnected by a critical examination of capitalism and its detrimental effects on marginalized communities both domestically and abroad. Political economy approaches,drawing inspiration from the works of scholars like David Harvey,are included,as are important interventions from the fields of Indigenous and settler colonial studies. Feminist perspectives,utilizing the insights of scholars such as Silvia Federici,are also incorporated,along with the concept of environmental racism,which amalgamates critical race theory and environmental justice literature.

Through the presentation of a diverse array of case studies,this collection sheds light on the complex web of relationships that exist between Canadian corporations,capitalism,and dispossession. The cases presented herein range from historical instances of land theft and displacement to contemporary cases of resource extraction and environmental degradation. By analyzing these cases in depth,the book aims to challenge the prevailing narratives that portray Canadian corporations as benevolent actors contributing to economic development and social progress. Instead,it highlights the ways in which these corporations have actively perpetuated and profited from systems of dispossession,while also undermining the rights and livelihoods of marginalized communities.

The book also offers valuable insights into the broader political and social contexts in which these processes of dispossession occur. It explores the role of government policies,international trade agreements,and corporate power in shaping the conditions that facilitate dispossession. It also examines the ways in which these processes intersect with other forms of oppression,such as racism,sexism,and colonialism,creating a complex web of interrelated systems of injustice.

In conclusion,this edited collection provides a comprehensive and critical examination of the role of Canadian corporations in perpetuating,deepening,and exacerbating conditions of dispossession. By presenting a diverse range of case studies and theoretical frameworks,it challenges the dominant narratives that portray these corporations as benevolent actors contributing to economic development and social progress. Instead,it highlights the ways in which these corporations have actively perpetuated and profited from systems of dispossession,while also undermining the rights and livelihoods of marginalized communities. The book offers valuable insights into the broader political and social contexts in which these processes occur,and provides a call to action for individuals and organizations to work towards a more just and equitable world.

Dimension: 23 x 15 x 1 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781773634784