The Rhetoric of Innovation

Innovation has been lauded over centuries but the emergence of an "innovation policy paradigm" is a new phenomenon, producing profound changes in the realm of scientific research. Whether these changes stand to benefit 'all' Canadians remains to be seen. Therein lies a problem: The present "innovation policy paradigm" trades on society's deeply entrenched view of innovation (however it occurs) as a public good, while simultaneously encoding for specific a 'brand' of innovation that privileges capital over all other interests. This thesis (1) demonstrates that this paradigm is the product of historically complex contests of power; (2) argues that the paradigm is 'flawed' (in terms of the model it is premised upon), 'underinclusive' (in terms of the practices it purports to monitor), and 'misleading' (in terms of the social outcomes it is assumed to produce); and, therefore (3) seeks to legitimize significant questions surrounding benefit-sharing, wealth redistribution, and sustainability.