Stephen Clarkson: Political Economist with a Global Vision (1937–2016)

Abstract

Stephen Clarkson made a difference in the ways Canadians understand both this country and its relationship to the US, Mexico, and Europe. As a Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto he devoted a great deal of energy in teaching and guiding students. He was awarded the Order of Canada in part because of his teaching but also for his research and writing on political economy. His biography of Pierre Elliot Trudeau co-written with Christina Newman won the Governor General’s Award. He was a leading expert in Canada–US relations, and was particularly prescient in understanding how the Canada US Free Trade Agreement initiated constitutional type control in Canada. As well, he was one of Canada’s leading experts on the Canada/US relationship and devoted much of his talented research ability to analysing the complex and contradictory tendencies of North American integration and the erosion of national sovereignty.