Abstract

EDITORIAL: COMPETING IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY: A SMALL BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE John F. Bulloch, President Canadian Federation of Independent Business In Canada today, the economic policies of the federal and provincial governments are being directed by the imperatives of competing in the global economy. The issue for public debate is whether transnational corporations are blackmailing Canadians and their governments into implementing a self-serving economic agenda, or whether Canadians must make sacrifices in the short-term, while we restructure the economy to compete and survive in a more competitive internationally-integrated world economy. The global economy is being fostered by the convergence of computer and communication technologies with transnational corporations and international cities the agents of change all operating outside the purview of national governments. It is my view that globalization is inevitable and something Canadians must adjust to or see a long-term decline in their standard of living. At the same time, I believe the major corporate interests in this country are using the situation to their own benefit, but not always to the benefit of the country. The small business perspective in this debate is both significant and credible. I want to emphasize that small business is not anti-big business, but