Adbusters Magazine January-February 2009 Back Issue

Only in Canada
The trend in the Anglo-American world is to move beyond the conservatism of the Bush era and support progressive; environmentally-conscious governments. Canadians; however; have elected Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper for another term as prime minister; positioning Canada as an outcast among developed nations when it comes to taking action on climate change.

Big Idea: A Steady-State Economy
The growth economy is failing and we have to attempt a steady-state economy. The steady state answer is that the rich should reduce their throughput growth to free up resources and ecological space for use by the poor; while focusing their domestic efforts on development; technical and social improvements; that can be freely shared with poor countries.

Big in Japan
The sudden increase in popularity of Kanikosen (The Crab-Canning Ship); a bleak 20th century novel seething with proletarian despair; points to tectonic shifts taking place beneath the polished veneer of Japanese society.

Spiraling into Chaos
Less than a decade ago Mexico was considered the darling of Latin America. International analysts applauded the country as a beacon of democracy; justice and modernity. Today; violence and organized crime in Mexico are escalating; prompting writer Mónica López to wonder if the country is descending into a land of violence; lawlessness and chaos.

Seismic Shifts Down Under
The first months of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s term in office were full of positive action: he ratified Kyoto; promised to withdraw Australian troops from Iraq and publicly apologized to Indigenous Australians for years of mistreatment. But no honeymoon lasts forever; and as Rudd’s term unfolds his conservative side is coming to light.