The (Post) Staples Economy and the (Post) Staples State in Historical Perspective

Abstract

This article examines the evolution of the contemporary staples state. There are two forms of competitive states that are relevant to a discussion of the Canadian (post) staples state: the Schumpeterian and Ricardian competitive states. The importance of the Schumpetarian competitive state is the focus of Jessop’s (2002a) The Future of the Capitalist State and is often applied to Canada. The Ricardian competitive state's characteristics, however, lead to the argument that it in fact better describes the contemporary staples state that continues to flourish throughout many parts of Canada. The article first outlines the economic importance of contemporary staples production at both the national and provincial level. It then chronologically defines the staples state in relationship to popular characterizations of it, from its pre-20th century form to the present.