Work in Tumultuous Times: Critical Perspectives

by Vivian Shalla, Wallace Clement

Using a progressive approach to political economy, contributors propose alternative policies and practices that might secure more decent livelihoods for workers and their families.

448 pages, Paperback

First published March 12, 2007

Reviews

[Beetsobriety · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this anthology Shalla and Clement attempt to suss out the current state of the 'post-industrial' worker presented with a structural, political-economy approach (complete with a little blub on proper methodology from Clement). Most of the articles are heavily theoretical and place a large emphasis on redefining labour and working time(when I have a chance I will come back and comment on a few if not all of the articles). Yet in no article do we see an attempt to grant agency to any of these precarious employees the authors are looking to save. Indeed, it appears that their air-tight structure has asphyxiated the subject.

Also, it would be nice to read a labour history account that doesn't begin with a diatribe on how post-modernism is feeding the neoliberal front. Just sayin'.