Trade Unionism: Purposes and Forms

Trade Unionism: Purposes and Forms

What are trade unions for? Why do trade unions movements vary so? Trade unionism in its various national forms has been the subject of increasing scrutiny during the second half of the twentieth century. Ross Martin’s book is concerned with two neglected, but crucial aspects of trade unionism as a world-wide phenomenon. One is the remarkably diverse purposes which have been attributed to the trade union. The other is the varying forms that trade unionism takes in different countries and the reasons for those variations. In the first part of the Book, Professor Martin presents a comprehensive account for the wildly conflicting objectives, responsibilities, and functions that have been foisted on the trade union, mainly by outsiders. He brings together a wide range of writings on trade unionism, and his clear and penetrating review of the literature will help students f industrial relations become aware of the far-reaching political debate on the goals of trade unions. The second half of the book establishes, with particular emphasis on reference to twenty-seven countries, a typology by which the intuitional forms of trade unionism may be ordered and categorized on a transnational basis. It also develops a theory which explains their major difference in terms of political parties and party systems.

Ross M. Martin

Clarendon Press

1989

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English

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