The following was written by John Loxley, a former colleague of Paul's./m
---
*Professor Paul Phillips*
* *
* *
Professor Paul Phillips died on July 16, 2008, in Vernon BC.
Paul graduated from the London School of Economics in 1967 with a PhD in
Labour Economics and Industrial Relations. He joined the Department of
Economics, University of Manitoba, on July 1, 1969 having spent two
years as the Research Director, BC Federation of Labour. He retired from
the Department on January 1, 2004 and was appointed Professor Emeritus
in 2005.
Paul was a prolific writer with a publications record extending over
thirty years. His interests were broad, spanning labour economics,
regional economics, political economy, Canadian economic history and
worker self-management, a rare intellectual feat but one that he managed
with ease.
His first book, /No Power Greater: A Century of Labour in British
/Columbia, combined economic history with labour economics and remains
the authoritative work in the field. This was followed by his /Regional
Disparities/. His /Women and Work/ (with daughter Erin Phillips) is
required reading for anyone interested in the gender dimensions of the
Canadian labour market and is now in its third edition. In addition, he
published three other books and numerous articles in the area of both
theory and policy of collective bargaining and industrial relations.
Paul was responsible for editing and publishing the seminal work of H.C.
Pentland, /Labour and Capital in //Canada//: 1640-1860/. Once regarded
as the most heavily cited, unpublished PhD thesis in Canada, this work
has long occupied a central place in Canadian economic and labour
history. Paul Phillips made it readily available for all and, in the
process, contributed his own important analysis of Pentland=s work. He
played a similar role in rescuing, highlighting and critiquing the
contribution of Vernon Fowke on the national policy and Canadian
agricultural and regional policy.
Many of Paul's publications have an economic history focus. He wrote on
mining in BC, agricultural development in the prairies, prairie
urbanization, the National Policy and the evolution of Canada away from
a staple driven economy. Much of this work addressed important
theoretical issues within an historical context. Political economy
theories of development and underdevelopment, from hinterland/metropolis
views to unequal exchange and the Staple Theory, from Innis to Marx,
from Emmanuel to Frank, inform his writings but are dealt with
critically and creatively. Theory has a strong presence in his work and
his publications reveal a familiarity with a remarkably broad array of
theories. He co-authored two texts on orthodox economic theory, with
Jim Seldon, while publishing almost all his other works from what can be
best described as a >political economy= perspective.
More recently, Paul developed an interest in transitional economies and,
encouraged by his friend and collaborator, Bogmil Ferfila of the
University of Ljubljana, he became a recognized expert on the economy of
Slovenia.
Professor Phillips was a popular teacher who set high academic
standards. He attracted students by his commitment to them and by his
passion for his field. He wrote several books specifically to meet the
needs of his students and was regarded by students and colleagues alike
as a serious, demanding and devoted teacher. He played an important role
in developing the Labour Studies Program and was a key teacher in that
program. He was also very active in the formation of the Global
Political Economy program. For many years he was the main advocate for
and teacher of Canadian Economic History in our department. He was held
in very high regard by students and colleagues alike and could always be
relied on to teach whatever the department required and to do so
effectively, to the satisfaction of his students. He supervised several
graduate student theses, most recently in the areas of women and the
unemployment insurance system, a history of First Nations= economic
development in Manitoba and fair trade.
Professor Phillips also had an outstanding service record. Within the
university, he was an active member of UMFA and served as Chief
Bargainer during very difficult negotiations in the 1995 strike. Paul
belonged to the group of left-academics who, in 1978, brought the
Society for Socialist Studies National Office to the University of
Manitoba, where it was given accommodation at University College. As
Treasury and, later, Member at Large, of the National Executive, he
served the cause of progressive research and teaching. With Cy Gonick,
Paul organized the 1994 conference, on 'The Rise and Demise of An
Industrial Relations System: 50 Years of PC1003', from which came a
signed collection of co-edited papers published by the Society. Outside
the university, his service to the community was remarkable. He was
Chairman of the Milk Prices Review Commission and the Fluid Milk
Commission, Chairman of the Milk Control Board and member of the Dairy
Board. He chaired several Industrial Adjustment Committees, served as a
member of the board of the Community Unemployed Help Centre and of the
Manitoba Economic Development Advisory Board. He was active on the board
of the Manitoba Opera Association and sang in the opera for many years.
He was also a board member of the Winnipeg Folk Festival and an avid and
accomplished musician. Paul also sailed and played polo. After
'retirement' to Vernon BC, he not only remained extremely active
academically, but also sang in two choirs and became involved in theatre.
As his family stressed in their remembrance of him, 'much of his
academic work and community life was motivated by a deep and passionate
commitment to social justice and a profound commitment to speaking for
those who are left out of the economic, political and social conversation.'
Paul leaves to mourn him his wife Donna, daughters, Erin and Nicole,
brothers David and Rhys, their families and many close friends.
A memorial has been scheduled for Saturday, August 2 at 11 am in the
Schubert Centre, Vernon B.C. (3505 - 30^th Avenue). A memorial has also
been planned for September in Winnipeg: details will follow.
John Loxley, July 2008
--
Michael A. Lebowitz
Professor Emeritus
Economics Department
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6
Director, Programme in 'Transformative Practice and Human Development'
Centro Internacional Miranda, P.H.
Residencias Anauco Suites, Parque Central, final Av. Bolivar
Caracas, Venezuela
fax: 0212 5768274/0212 5777231
http//:centrointernacionalmiranda.gob.ve
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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