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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦

@jbroschek.bsky.social

2.2K followers 890 following 660 posts

Political Science Prof and Laurier Research Chair | Federalism/Multilevel Governance | Political Economy | (Active) Transportation and Infrastructure Policy | Kitchener/Waterloo Region More at https://tinyurl.com/4pzjpykm

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · Nov 12

Hello!
My research compares how governments address major policy challenges that cut across jurisdictions - from the local to the supranational level.

I currently work on
• trade + industrial policy
• transportation infrastructure policy
• local democratic governance

Recent op-ed contributions ⬇️

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 1d

... We would recognize the need for a countrywide dialogue about the generational challenges facing Canada. We would provide Canadians with the information they need to make thoughtful choices... And we would recognize that serious conversation takes time."

www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...

Opinion: We’re missing a vision for Canada

We are living in a different world, and we need to talk about what that means for all of us

www.theglobeandmail.com

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 1d

"And even if the Carney government has a plan, when did the rest of us agree to it? If Canada is really at a crossroads, you would expect a serious national conversation about which road we should follow. (...)"

And:

"Here’s what a better response to a “hinge moment” would look like....

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 1d

In the EU, all of this has been, and is, unfolding within a multilayered public discourse - at the member state and the European level. Political elites, parliaments, the media...

Whereas in Canada, to quote @alasdairroberts.bsky.social excellent op-ed from September in the Globe and Mail...

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 1d

EU member states may also be willing to give up more sovereignty in defence (and otherwise) in light of a dramatically changing geopolitical context. But this happens - huge difference to the US - within a democratic multi-level system where the rule of law, ROE etc. are still upheld + valued. And:

Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 1d

If there is really no alternative to closer defence integration - no capacity for choice, in other words - as all quoted experts seem to suggest, then this begs a more fundamental question that calls for an honest, broad public discourse:

To what extent is Canada still a "sovereign" state?

Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 1d

My naive wish is that even one Canadian journalist, one politician, one security analyst, would address the implications of Canada choosing military integration with an authoritarian power that no longer respects the rule of law or international law.
Looks like that’s not going to happen today.

Golden Dome signals change to Canada’s long-time opposition to joining U.S. missile defence

Canada opted to stay on the sidelines in 2005 as the U.S. developed defences against ballistic missiles

www.theglobeandmail.com

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 2d

It will “never happen again”:

From the broken Greenbelt promise over multiple leadership failures in handling Covid (Rod Phillips, LTC homes, playground closures) to the “hat in hand” comment.

I can't recall a government apologizing so many times.

globalnews.ca/news/1146863...

Ontario government won’t say which cabinet minister vehicles were speeding, citing safety | Globalnews.ca

Documents show vehicles assigned to Premier Doug Ford's cabinet ministers were caught by automated speed cameras 23 times, including one driving at 70 km/h in a 40 zone.

globalnews.ca

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Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦

Don Cthulhurren 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @dbcurren.bsky.social · 2d

This is quite a good briefing note on Canada’s #productivity problems and its dependence on the #US and #resource #exports. One data point: #Canada ranks 48th in #economic #complexity.
www.policyschool.ca/wp-content/u...

www.policyschool.ca

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Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦

David Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 2d

On tariffs, there wasn't a lot the EU (or anyone else) could do to push back on the US damaging itself. On regulation, a lot more important to draw the line as is happening

Jacob Öberg @profjacob.bsky.social · 2d

🚨🚨Good news: The European Union has signaled it will not give in to pressure from Washington to tear up its #green rules in order to firm up a deal on #tariffs, @ec.europa.eu trade chief @sabineweyand.bsky.social has said to EU Member States. 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...

EU refuses to bow to Trump demands to tear up business rules

Brussels has signaled it won’t yield to U.S. pressure to ignite a bonfire of green regulations as part of their trade deal, a top official tells diplomats.

www.politico.eu

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 3d

The EU is confronted with similar challenges like Canada, and it has an industrial strategy (of course far from perfect).

If this is the “Canadian moment we need to seize”, then I would expect more depth, breadth and systematic thinking than what we see here based on what has transpired so far.

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 3d

The Draghi Report, for example:

➡️ Identifies 3 transformations the EU is facing
➡️ Defines corresponding key policy goals
➡️ Proposes horizontal (policy) and vertical (sectors) measures to achieve these goals
➡️ Outlines institutional governance reforms required to implement this industrial strategy

Screenshot from the Draghi Report Content Page

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 3d

An industrial "strategy" without at least mentioning the net-zero economy should be a first red flag.

There is no indication that this “three-point plan” is at least trying to emulate what the EU has developed under the VDL Commission + the Draghi Report.

www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...

Joly unveils three-point industrial strategy to counter Trump’s tariffs

Innovation Minister points to targeted investments, fast approvals for projects and Buy Canadian policy

www.theglobeandmail.com

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 4d

It's going to be interesting to see how the EP responds:

"I want to make sure that nothing in our right to regulate, from digital services to carbon pricing, has been compromised in return for this deal.”

www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pres...

Statement by Chairman Lange on EU-US Trade deal | News | European Parliament

After the trade and tariffs deal that was reached between the EU and the US yesterday, the Chair of the International Trade Committee, Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE) issued the following statement:

www.europarl.europa.eu

Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 4d

What buying access to the American market means in practice:

"The legislation has come under attack from US oil and gas companies, with ExxonMobil’s chief executive Darren Woods describing the rules as threatening."

Jennifer Clapp 🇨🇦 @jennifer-clapp.bsky.social · 4d

Bowing to bullies would only make a bad situation worse
"A panoply of laws forcing companies to fight deforestation, labour abuses and reduce their impact on the environment are being weakened or delayed, and the US is pushing Brussels to go further."

www.ft.com/content/678f...

US demands EU dismantle green regulations in threat to trade deal

Washington wants American companies to be exempted from rules such as having to draw up climate transition plans

www.ft.com

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 5d

I honestly hope you are right. I also understand the difficult position the federal government is in. But - and being aware of the limited information we have, as I am reading the tea leaves here - I am even more concerned now than I was this morning (unlike Minister LeBlanc).

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 5d

“But there are more areas where we are stronger together, and that’s what we’re focused on.”

The problem: "Stronger together" rests on the premise Trump views Canada as a partner, and not as a vulnerable, dependent + resource-rich neighbor it can dominate.

www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...

Four key moments from Carney’s meeting with Trump in Washington

Mutual love, natural conflict and 51st state jokes as leaders meet in Oval Office

www.theglobeandmail.com

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 5d

Thank you @stevenchase.bsky.social for asking the Golden Dome question. But still 🤷‍♂️

Also, would be interesting to know more about what "joint ventures" and "developing certain industries together" exactly means when they talk about "formulas".

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 7d

This "manufacturing" of a conflict around ASE represents a more general phenomenon. We've seen it here now with bike lanes and ASE. Other countries experience it in different areas, too. Either way, it prevents better policy outcomes and - indeed - contributes to erode public trust in institutions.

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 7d

The premier, councillors and mayors, amplified by media commentary, have been:

➡️evoking emotions by suggesting non-law complying drivers are victims (it's "punitive")
➡️reframing cause and effect: bureaucrats, not drivers are the problem (cash grab)
➡️ pretending all of this is "common sense"

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 7d

One has to put this puzzle into perspective. The ASE program is a general interest reform that:

➡️is effective in improving road safety
➡️only requires drivers to comply with an existing law
➡️at the expense of a few minutes added travel time.

That's it. Not a huge sacrifice. So what happened?

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 7d

A comparative angle leads to a different conclusion: manufactured conflict rather than poor execution.

The question to begin with is:

Why do other countries use ASE much more broadly, e.g. hidden mobile cameras, 24/7, to enforce 30km/h speed limits in residential areas - without so much backlash?

Mike Farwell @farwell570.bsky.social · 9d

Municipalities took a good idea, completely gummed up its execution, and now promise to do better if only given another chance. And we wonder why faith in institutions is eroding... www.thestar.com/news/gta/20-...

20-plus mayors urge Doug Ford to compromise on speed camera ban

“A total ban on (automated speed enforcement) would reverse years of progress on safety,” said a letter signed by 22 mayors and sent to Ford and his Transportation minister on Thursday.

www.thestar.com

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 8d

I suspect it varies from province to province. As for Ontario, as far as I know the only potential concern would be whether or not this would pose a problem for emergency vehicles. Otherwise I believe munis have leeway.

Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 9d

This letter demonstrates that ASE as one of the most effective tools to enhance road safety has never been a partisan issue per se.

The signatures are, therefore, a good indicator of who has policy competence, and who doesn't (e.g. Kitchener, Vaughan).

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Waterloo, Cambridge Guelph mayors sign letter to Premier over proposed speed camera ban | CBC News

The mayors of Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph are part of a group of municipal leaders urging Premier Doug Ford and the transportation minister to reconsider banning speed cameras in the province.

www.cbc.ca

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Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦

Steffen Mau @steffenmau.bsky.social · 9d

Ein von Michael Zürn und mir verfasster Nachruf auf Claus Offe. Ein bemerkenswerter Mensch und Wissenschaftler www.faz.net/aktuell/feui...

Sozialwissenschaftler Claus Offe gestorben

Claus Offe prägte die Sozialwissenschaften mit scharfsinnigen Analysen und gesellschaftskritischen Perspektiven. Als Grenzgänger zwischen Soziologie und Politologie bleibt sein Werk wegweisend.

www.faz.net

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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 10d

Eine traurige Nachricht. Wenige Autoren haben mich so in den ersten Jahren meines Studiums geprägt wie Claus Offe. Nicht nur "Politische Herrschaft und Klassenstrukturen" oder die "Strukturprobleme", sondern auch Aufsätze wie "Die Utopie der Null-Option". Ich habe noch alle Kopien von damals (viele)

Steffen Mau @steffenmau.bsky.social · 10d

Herausragender Wissenschaftler, bewunderter Autor, befreundeter Kollege, kluger Ratgeber: Claus Offe ist gestorben!

Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 10d

And this spin is becoming a thing now, first Ottawa, now - shocker - Queen's Park:

"But targets are not outcomes. We believe in achievable outcomes, not unrealistic objectives."

Serious climate policy-making going on here.

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