Faith & Fear: The Free Trade Story

Faith & Fear: The Free Trade Story published by Stoddart, explores the political dynamics of the free trade decision. It describes the power of economic forces to transform the political landscape, of chance occurrences that made the difference between change and the status quo, and of determined men and women who made events bend to their will.

Described by its authors as “equal parts research, detective work, and logical deduction,” Faith & Fear depicts the effect the negotiations had on Canadians — forcing them to look deeply into their national soul and to decide where they stood on  the issue.

Faith in liberal markets and fear of American protectionism helped  shape the choice to go for free trade. But the decision was not  propelled by ideology but instead by a cold political calculation that the risks of pursuing the free trade initiative were worth the political candle.

Whether viewed narrowly as a trade deal, broadly as an economic constitution for North America, or as a political event of enormous psychological importance to Canadians, free trade leaves Canada forever changed.

G. Bruce Doern is a Canadian public policy analyst and professor of public administration at Carleton University. A native of Winnipeg, he holds a B. Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba, an M.A. from  Carleton University, and a Ph.D. in political science from Queen’s  University.

 Brian W. Tomlin is a specialist in foreign policy and bargaining and negotiation. Born in London Ontario, he earned his B.A. in economics from McMaster University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in political science  from York University in Toronto. Formerly the director of the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University, he is now a professor of international affairs and political science and  director of Carleton’s Centre for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution.