Industrial democracy, incorporation and control : Britain, 1945-1980
The principal purpose of this thesis is to explain the significance of moves towards industrial democracy in Britain since the Second World War. It attempts not only to outline a comprehensive 'conceptual map' of the literature on the subject, but also to define the limits of what industrial democracy - in its various forms - can achieve within the context of an advanced, neo-capitalist society. Part I contains a sustained critique of liberal pluralist approaches to industrial relations which leads, in Part II, to an analysis of power relations in industry focusing on the Gramscian concepts of 'hegemony' and 'contradictory consciousness'. It is shown that, although workers often express socially consensual attitudes in abstract terms, their behaviour reflects conflictual responses whenever their interests are threatened on the shop-floor. However, the 'non-observable' aspects of power (such as property relations, the legal framework and the division of labour) constrain the kinds of action workers may undertake through its 'observable' aspects (such as collective bargaining or consultation). In Part III, it is argued that managements try to use forms of industrial democracy to incorporate workers' behaviour
Gold, Michael D.
politics
Industrial democracy, incorporation and control : Britain, 1945-1980. The principal purpose of this thesis is to explain the significance of moves towards industrial democracy in Britain since the Second World War. It attempts not only to outline a comprehensive 'conceptual map' of the literature on the subject, but also to define the limits of what industrial democracy - in its various forms - can achieve within the context of an advanced, neo-capitalist society. Part I contains a sustained critique of liberal pluralist approaches to industrial relations which leads, in Part II, to an analysis of power relations in industry focusing on the Gramscian concepts of 'hegemony' and 'contradictory consciousness'. It is shown that, although workers often express socially consensual attitudes in abstract terms, their behaviour reflects conflictual responses whenever their interests are threatened on the shop-floor. However, the 'non-observable' aspects of power (such as property relations, the legal framework and the division of labour) constrain the kinds of action workers may undertake through its 'observable' aspects (such as collective bargaining or consultation). In Part III, it is argued that managements try to use forms of industrial democracy to incorporate workers' behaviour
industrial democracy incorporation control britain principal purpose explain significance move_towards industrial democracy britain since_second_world_war attempt outline comprehensive conceptual map literature_subject also define limit industrial democracy various_form achieve within_context advanced neo capitalist_society part contains sustain critique liberal pluralist approach industrial_relation lead part analysis power_relation industry focus concept hegemony contradictory consciousness show_although worker often express socially consensual attitude abstract term behaviour reflect conflictual response whenever interest threaten shop floor however non observable aspect power property_relation legal_framework division_labour constrain kind action worker may undertake observable aspect collective bargaining consultation part_iii argue management try use form industrial democracy incorporate worker behaviour