Governing under Stress: Middle Powers and the Challenge of Globalization

This volume is the first work to emerge from a major international comparative research project to explore the political economy of governance under conditions of globalization in Canada, Mexico, Norway and Australia. The essays throw a new light on globalization by examining it from the perspective of these nations on the "semi-periphery." Opening chapters examine the international institutions, including NAFTA, the WTO and the EU. In the second Part, contributors detail the constraints these countries face and the possibilities for their continuing to pursue policies unique to the needs and democratically defined goals of each country. And in the concluding Part, they discuss the new economic, political and social issues that arise as the shape of governance changes.

This volume is the first work to emerge from a major international comparative research project to explore the political economy of governance under conditions of globalization in Canada, Mexico, Norway and Australia. The essays throw a new light on globalization by examining it from the perspective of these nations on the "semi-periphery." Opening chapters examine the international institutions, including NAFTA, the WTO and the EU. In the second Part, contributors detail the constraints these countries face and the possibilities for their continuing to pursue policies unique to the needs and democratically defined goals of each country. And in the concluding Part, they discuss the new economic, political and social issues that arise as the shape of governance changes.

Stephen Clarkson is in the Department of Political Science, University of Toronto.

Marjorie Griffin Cohen is Professor of Political Science and Women's Studies at Simon Fraser University, Canada.