The geometry of trade unionism: A comparative analysis of identities and ideology

Research output not available from this repository.

Request-a-Copy directly from author or use local Library Get it For Me service.

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

This article proposes and applies a framework for the comparative analysis of trade union policy orientations, exploring the dynamics of continuity and change in ideologies and identities.

It is common to distinguish three broad types of trade unionism. The ''business unionism'' historically characteristic in the United States and to some extent in Britain, involves a role primarily as interest organizations with labour market functions. The communist tradition which emerged in part in opposition to ''pure-and-simple'' unionism envisages unions as ''schools of war'' in a socio-political struggle between labour and capital; within Europe, this conception has been a powerful influence on trade unions in the Mediterranean countries for much of the present century. A third type, related both to social-democratic and christian-democratic traditions, envisages unions as vehicles for improving workers' status within existing (capitalist) society and in the process contributing to social stability and cohesion: a model which in the second half of this century became dominant in most northern European countries.

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item