Understanding European Trade Unionism

`Engaging and essential reading for those interested in the historical and recent evolution of trade union movements in Europe′ - Construction Labour Research`The book combines theoretical analyses of trade unionism with short histories... is clearly written, well argued and largely jargon free′ - Labour History Review`[A] detailed and fascinating history of trade unions in the three countries [Britain, German, Italy] and lastly, considers how the unions could recover from the intense disarray of recent years′ - Labour Research`From a deeply reflective reconstruction of well over a century of national trade union experiences, Richard Hyman emerges with incisive questions for the European future. Can there be a co-ordinated diversity of trade union practice? How can a European trade unionism be built from below, rather than through top-down bureaucracies? Everyone concerned over the construction of a truly social Europe will learn much from this thoughtful and probing study′ - Professor Colin Crouch, Istituto Universitario Europeo`Well written and jargon free, this highly original book makes an important theoretical contribution that broadens our perspectives on Industrial Relations′ - George Strauss, Professor Emeritus, Institute of Industrial Relations, University of California, Berkeley`This book provides a timely insight into organized labour in an increasingly capitalist world. Whether one agrees with Richard Hyman on a role for unions in post-modern societies is unimportant. This book asks all the pertinent questions that need to be asked by anyone curious about the future of trade unions in the twenty-first century. It provides a scholarly insight that begs reading by policy makers in labour, business and the government′ - Professor Anil Verma, Rotman School of Management and Centre for Industrial Relations, University of Toronto; Past-President, Canadian Industrial Relations Association.`A very innovative study of trade unionism, whose overall development is powerfully portrayed while offering at the same time a brilliant analysis of distinct types to be found within Europe′ - Marino Regini, Facoltà di Scienze Politiche, Università degli Studi di MilanoFrom a deeply reflective reconstruction of well over a century of national trade union experiences, Richard Hyman emerges with incisive questions for the European future. Can there be a co-ordinated diversity of trade union practice? How can a European trade unionism be built from below, rather than through top-down bureaucracies? Everyone concerned over the construction of a truly social Europe will learn much from this thoughtful and probing study." - Professor Colin Crouch, Istituto Universitario Europeo

• The Strategic Orientations of Trade UnionismA Stylized IntroductionTrade Unions as Economic ActorsRegulating the Labour MarketTrade Unions and Class StruggleContesting the SystemTrade Unions in Civil SocietyPursuing Social DialogueBritish Trade UnionismBetween Market and ClassGerman Trade UnionismBetween Society and MarketItalian Trade UnionismBetween Class and SocietyChallenges and ChangesThe Variable Geometry of Trade Unionism