The Force of Labour: The Western European Labour Movement and the Working Class in the Twentieth Century

Description

This innovative text aims to provide a comprehensive overview and comparative analysis of European labour movements from 1900 to 1990. The authors examine the links between workers and organized labour in seven European countries - Britain, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden and The Netherlands - and focus on areas such as the role of the state, labour markets, and occupation and class. Previous works have analysed more limited periods and this has resulted in a compartmentalised approach to the subject. The broad timeframe adopted by the distinguished contributors will provide readers with fresh insights and will prompt a re-examination of currently accepted frameworks. A welcome companion to Dick Geary's 'Labour and Socialist Movements in Europe before 1914', this book will be widely used by students and scholars of modern European History and Politics.

Stefan Berger Lecturer at the School of European Studies,University of Wales, College of Cardiff David Broughton Lecturer at the School of European Studies, University of Wales, College of Cardiff

"... a valuable collection of essays ... welcome additions to the subject (offering) shrewd appraisals of the variety of regional and local, cultural and political determinants of the nature and fortunes of western Europe's labour movements" Business History "This is a very welcome addition to the growing field of comparative labour history, and points the way for future scholars in the field." Socialist History "...will undoubtedly serve as (a) core text in undergraduate courses on German government." German Politics "an exceptionally useful general work that presents a wealth of very readable information" SAOTHAR "The standard is, throughout, remarkably high. ...strongly recommend(ed) for student use in any course dealing with twentieth-century history and, more specifically, the history of the working class and of the organised left in this century. '