Power and Resistance

How do we make sense of the social problems that continue to plague Canadian society? Our understanding of issues such as poverty, racism, violence, homophobia, crime and pollution stems from our view of how society is structured. From the dominant neoliberal perspective, social problems arise from individuals making poor choices. From a critical perspective, however, these social troubles are caused by structural social inequalities. Disparities in economic, social and political power — that is, relations of power based on class, race, gender and sexual orientation — are the central structural element of capitalist, patriarchal, colonialist societies.

The contributors to Power and Resistance use this critical perspective to explore Canadian social issues such as poverty, colonialism, homophobia, violence against women, climate change and so on. This sixth edition adds chapters on the corporatization of higher education, the lethal impacts of colonialism, democracy, the social determinants of health, drug policy and sexual violence on campus.

Wayne Antony is a publisher at Fernwood Publishing. He is also a founding member of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Manitoba (CCPA-MB) and has been on the board of directors since its inception in 1997. Prior to becoming involved with the CCPA-MB, he worked with the Winnipeg political activist organizations, The Socialist Education Centre and Thin Ice. Wayne also taught sociology at the University of Winnipeg for eighteen years. He is co-author of three reports on the state of public services in Manitoba (for CCAP-MB) and is co-editor (with Les Samuelson) of five editions of Power and Resistance: Critical Thinking about Canadian Social Issues, co-editor (with Dave Broad) of Citizens or Consumers? Social Policy in a Market Society and Capitalism Rebooted? Work and Welfare in the New Economy (both with Dave Broad), and co-editor (with Julie Guard) Bankruptcies and Bailouts.

Jessica Antony (she/her) is a freelance writer, editor and educator. She has a master’s degree in media studies from Concordia University and spent a decade working as a managing editor in the book publishing industry. In addition to writing and editing for clients and authors, she facilitates workshops on a variety of communication topics and teaches a writing course at the University of Winnipeg. She was the co-editor of the sixth edition of Power and Resistance: Critical Thinking About Canadian Social Issues and has written personal essays and articles about body politics, community arts and arts funding for CBC.