### **Allegations of Plagiarism Surround Mark Carney’s 1995 Oxford Thesis**
As Canada’s 2025 federal election approaches, Liberal Party candidate and former central banker Mark Carney faces accusations of plagiarism in his 1995 doctoral thesis at Oxford University. A report by *The National Post* highlighted multiple passages in Carney’s thesis, *”The Dynamic Advantage of Competition,”* that closely resemble earlier works by economists Michael Porter, Jeremy Stein, and H.S. Shin without proper quotation or direct attribution. While Carney cited these authors in his bibliography, the disputed passages were not enclosed in quotation marks, raising concerns about academic integrity. His thesis supervisor, Margaret Meyer, defended him, stating she found no evidence of plagiarism, and the thesis was approved by Oxford faculty. However, Oxford’s plagiarism policy requires full acknowledgment of borrowed material, leaving questions about whether Carney’s paraphrasing violated academic standards at the time.
### **Examining the Evidence and Academic Standards**
A *Snopes* review confirmed the similarities between Carney’s thesis and the original sources. For instance, a passage from Michael Porter’s *The Competitive Advantage of Nations* (1990) appears nearly verbatim in Carney’s work with minor rephrasing but no direct quotation. Similar instances were found with Jeremy Stein’s and H.S. Shin’s research. While some passages were followed by citations, others lacked immediate attribution. Oxford University defines plagiarism as using others’ work without full acknowledgment, whether copied verbatim or paraphrased. However, it remains unclear whether the university’s enforcement policies in 1995 were as stringent as they are today. Carney’s opponents, including Conservative candidate Pierre Poilievre, have seized on the allegations, amplifying scrutiny ahead of the election. *Snopes* has reached out to Carney and Oxford for further comment and will update the story accordingly.
### **Political Implications and Ongoing Scrutiny**
The plagiarism allegations against Carney have gained traction in Canadian political discourse, with critics questioning his credibility as a candidate. The *National Post*’s report, viewed over 590,000 times, has intensified public debate. While Carney’s academic supervisor and Oxford’s approval process provide some defense, the lack of direct quotations for borrowed material leaves room for criticism. If the controversy persists, it could impact Carney’s campaign, particularly among voters concerned with academic and professional integrity. As the election nears, both supporters and detractors will likely continue dissecting the allegations, making this a pivotal issue in the Liberal Party’s bid for leadership.
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Forrás: https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/03/31/mark-carney-plagiarism-allegations/.