Here for ease of access is a consolidated listing (in order of posting) of the contributions to the special series of commentaries we have posted this autumn marking the 50th anniversary of the publication of Mel Watkins’ classic 1963 article, “A Staple Theory of Economic Development” (Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science, 29/2, pp. 49–73).

Stand by for the formal publication of this series as a compendium by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives early in 2014.

Introduction (Jim Stanford)

The staple theory redux: On the Origin of Species (Abe Rotstein)

Mel Watkins as teacher, scholar and activist (Hugh Grant and David Wolfe)

Alberta’s sands, staples and traps (Gordon Laxer)

Re-reading staples theory in light of current trade and development theory (Dan Ciuriak)

The staple theory and the carbon trap (Brendan Haley)

LNG: B.C.’s quest for a new staple industry (Marc Lee)

Who’s your (grand) daddy? Watkins, Innis and W.A. Mackintosh (Hugh Grant)

‘Rowing and Steering’ our way out of the modern staples trap (Daniel Drache)

Staple theory and the new staple boom (Thomas Gunton)

The staples approach and the financial crisis (Alistair and Sheila Dow)

Staples, China and the global revitalization of industrial policy (Daniel Poon)

The staples trap in developing countries (Alberta Gago)

Staples theory: Its gendered nature (Marjorie Griffin Cohen)

Watkins, Innis and Canadian economics (Duncan Cameron)

Staples theory on the international stage (Gerry Helleiner)

Why linkages matter (Jim Stanford)

Bitumen as a staple: Rejoinder (Mel Watkins)

Jim Stanford

Jim Stanford is economist and director of the Centre for Future Work, and divides his time between Vancouver and Sydney. He has a PhD in economics from the New School for Social Research in New York,...