Overview

Unions have long been a central force in the democratization of national and global governance, and this timely book examines the role of labor in fighting for a more democratic and equitable world. In a clear and compelling narrative, Dimitris Stevis and Terry Boswell explore the past accomplishments and the formidable challenges still facing global union politics. Outlining the contradictions of globalization and global governance, they assess the implications for global union politics since its inception in the nineteenth century. The authors place this key social movement in a political economy framework as they argue that social movements can be fruitfully compared based on their emphases on egalitarianism and internationalism. Applying these concepts to global union politics across time, the authors consider whether global union politics has become more active and more influential or has failed to rise to the challenge of global capitalism. All readers interested in global organizations, governance, and social movements will find this deeply informed work an essential resource.

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9780742537859

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Reviews

Wide-ranging and authoritative, this book is one of the best available guides to trade union theory and practice in the era of globalization. Stevis and Boswell resist temptations to advocate empty radical policies and instead build carefully on current trade union and labor movement strategies to construct a viable multilevel transformative strategy. If you are to read one book on labor and global governance, this is the one!--Munck, Ronaldo

This book is very well written and constructed. By basing their arguments in a political economic perspective, the authors are able to fully describe national, regional, and international governance. This book would be great for classes that wrestle with the problems and potential that globalization poses for the labor movement. -- Jeffrey Cornelissen * Labor Studies Journal * A significant and timely contribution that will advance the urgent debate swirling around the relationship between labor and global governance. -- Robert O'Brien, Professor of Global Labour Issues, McMaster University This thorough and clearly written book is an essential read for those who wish to understand the dilemmas and challenges faced by trade unions and other social movements in the contemporary world. The authors analyze the range of actions and policies available to the union movement with both realism and sympathy. -- Jeffrey Harrod, ISHSS, University of Amsterdam Wide-ranging and authoritative, this book is one of the best available guides to trade union theory and practice in the era of globalization. Stevis and Boswell resist temptations to advocate empty radical policies and instead build carefully on current trade union and labor movement strategies to construct a viable multilevel transformative strategy. If you are to read one book on labor and global governance, this is the one! -- Ronaldo Munck, Dublin City University

Author Information

Dimitris Stevis is professor in the Department of Political Science at Colorado State University. Terry Boswell (1955–2006) was professor in the Department of Sociology at Emory University.

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