Refeudalizing the Public Sphere: "Manipulated Publicity" in the Canadian Debate on GM Foods.

The paper discusses Habermas' concept of refeudalization and the public debate over genetically modified (GM) foods in Canada. An initiative of the Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee is evaluated according to Habermas' ideal-typical public sphere criteria. The author examines the ways in which political and economic conditions under a globalized system hamper prospects for rational-critical public debate, specifically with regard to the GM foods industry, and argues that international competition and economic pressures have caused the Canadian government to promote contradictory policies.