OPPapers.com

Staples Theory

Question: Focus on one particular Political Economy Theory studied during the
Course and apply it to the economic history of Canada. Criticize and/or
Support its explanatory power and suggest possible avenues to improve the theoretical framework?

To understand, the history of Canada economically, it is important to examine the reasons why the country’s economy formed into its present form. The Staples theory is the most appropriate theory to use when looking into the economic history of Canada due to our vast use of natural resources over time. The theory is very relative and easy to analyze when it comes to the Canadian economy, because of the fact that it can still be used today as an explanatory tool for the Canadian economy. The Theory does have a few flaws that will be outlined and explained. There are suggestions in order to change the theoretical framework of Staples theory from these criticisms. To help understand the strengths and weaknesses it is important to look at the views of both early theorists Harold Innis and W.A. Mackintosh The purpose of this paper is too to take Staples Theory and its explanatory power and apply it to the economic history of Canada.

The economic history of Canada is based on the Staples theory and the use of natural resources over time. Staples theory basically outlines how a country

Staples Theory Pg.3
uses a natural resource which they center their economy around. In Canada the progression from resource to resource went from: fish, furs, lumber, minerals,
wheat, to oil (Migone, 2008). The staples are exported out of the country into international markets where the value of the material is high. The exports were
used to pay wages and import other goods into Canada (Migone, 2008). The first communities in Canada revolved around cod fishing, with this being the main source of food and export back to Europe in the early 1600’s (Easterbrook et al, 1988). The small communities were established at...