The Institut de recherche en économie contemporaine (IRÉC) is an organization whose objective is to support and encourage research in general economics as well as in political and third-sector economics. We would like to encourage initiatives to better define the role that should be played by the different actors on local and global economic scenes.




We can see today that increased deregulation has not produced all the expected results. Despite some definite successes, many of the hopes that accompanied deregulation and privatization have been dashed. Certain problems, such as an increase in inequalities and job insecurity, have appeared or have worsened.

Globalization is forcing States to revise their roles and responsibilities. Governments' capacity to intervene to resolve problems due to deregulation in recent years is being questioned more and more. For example, the establishment of a tax system that would allow for fair redistribution of wealth is compromised by the attraction of countries or areas that are more tolerant of inequalities. Subject to short-term vision, those holding capital look for the best returns. Too often, they neglect the needs of national and regional economies and endanger the stability of local financial systems and even international ones.




A lucid look at the state of Quebec society and the global economy indicates that it is time to look for new guidelines, a new framework, and better definitions of the common good. The poor results that often follow decisions resulting from deregulation also show the pertinence of thinking of new ways to combine private and public interests.

The IRÉC's project is based on the firm belief that regions and nations are still places of social solidarity and economic regulation, that the global space can become a place of cooperation, and that future compromises depend on new forms of convergence among the principal socio-economic actors.




Finding a balance between deregulation and protectionism, private and public, and centralization and regionalization is difficult. So, the IRÉC's objective is ambitious. Refusing the reigning fatalism, the Institute believes that there should be reflection on the new socio-economic realities and the issues that they bring up in societies, and in particular, Quebec society. To this end, the IRÉC intends to request studies, make an inventory of the work from universities and research centres, participate in creating and developing new instruments for economic analysis, organize congresses and conferences, and grant prizes to emerging researchers when the Institute has the necessary funds.




Above all, the IRÉC would like to promote critical reflection on today's main economic issues and widen the frame of public discussion between diverse socio-economic and political actors. The IRÉC will only take a public stand if a majority of its members are in agreement. The right to disagree will be respected at all times.