Edward Lawrence Wheelwright

Ted Wheelwright
Born Edward Lawrence Wheelwright
1921
Sheffield, England
Died 2007
Sydney
Education University of St Andrews
Occupation Economist, lecturer at Bristol University, lecturer at University of Sydney, radio presenter, Commonwealth Bank board member, editor Political Economy newsletter
Known for Analysis of Corporate Globalisation, International Trade Theory
Spouse(s) Wendy McGregor

Edward Lawrence (Ted) Wheelwright (1921–2007) was a notable Australian economist, radio host and anti-war activist who taught at the University of Sydney from 1952 until 1986.[1][2] He has written on Australian economic history, often from an institutionalist or Marxian perspective, and his published works have included the analysis of capitalism in Australian history[3] and an analysis of the influence and development of transnational corporations.[4] He authored 11 books independently and 5 with co-editors, and made frequent appearances on ABC Radio's Notes on the News program. He is the namesake of a memorial lecture at the University of Sydney[5] and an annual prize in the university's political economy course. While at the University of Sydney, he set up the Transnational Corporations Research Project.

Study of transnational corporations

Wheelwright was a vocal critic of the influence of transnational corporations in the politics of sovereign countries. Writing in 1982 with G.J. Crough, he argued:

"The kind of state that transnationals have opted to work closely with ... are some of the most repressive of states in the world which, to provide the political stability, good investment climate and cheap, disciplined labour so beloved of transnational managers, have repressed political demands, depoliticised the populace, destroyed political institutions, and emasculated organised labour. ... There are those who argue that such repression shows the true face of capital, liberal capitalism being an historical aberration."[6]

Along with fellow University of Sydney economist Gregory Crough, Ted Wheelwright was one of the founding members and permanent staff of the Transnational Corporations Research Project, set up through the University of Sydney in July 1975. The stated goal of the project was to "provide information on, and initiate research into aspects of foreign investment, and the activities of transnational corporations in Australia."[7] Publications of the project assert three objectives;

"(a) the publication of books, research monographs, working papers and data papers,
(b) the building up of a library of books, articles and relevant journals...
(c) the establishment of relationships with similar research projects in other countries..."[8]

Through the project Wheelwright kept a correspondence with the United Nations Information and Research Centre on Transnational Corporations, the Transnational Institute in Washington, and an institute of the same name in Amsterdam. More than forty documents were published by the Transnational Corporations Research Project.

Published works

Books

Articles

Transnational corporations research project papers

References

  1. ↑ Stilwell, Frank Obituary: Ted Wheelwright, 1921–2007 Online at: http://www.usyd.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=1868
  2. ↑ Stilwell, Frank. Political Economy: The contest of economic ideas, Oxford University Press (2006)
  3. ↑ Wheelwright E.L. & Buckley, K False Paradise: Australian Capitalism Revisited, 1915–1955, Oxford University Press (1998)
  4. ↑ Crough, G. J., Wheelwright, E. L. Australia: client state of international capital: a case study of the mineral industry. Essays in the Political Economy of Australian Capitalism. v.5, 1983: -15—42
  5. ↑ http://www.usu.usyd.edu.au/Whats_On/The_First_EL_%E2%80%98Ted%E2%80%99_Wheelwright_Memorial_Lecture.aspx?t=7&d=374
  6. ↑ page 185, Wheelwright E.L. & Crough, G.J. (1982) Australia: a client state
  7. ↑ quoted from the foreword to publications of the Transnational Corporations Research Project
  8. ↑ quoted from the foreword to publications of the Transnational Corporations Research Project
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