Globalization and Labor: Democratizing Global Governance

by Dimitris Stevis, Terry Boswell

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.

220 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 2007

About the author

Dimitris Stevis is Professor of Politics at Colorado State University (USA). His research focuses on global labour and environmental politics, with particular attention to labour environmentalism and social and ecological justice. He is a founder of the Center for Environmental Justice and recently published (with Dunja Krause and Edouard Morena) Just Transitions: Social Justice in the Shift Towards a Low-Carbon World (Pluto Press 2020).