Comment on Labor Unions Are Industrial Policy
unfreeradical@lemmy.world 1 year agoI am asking you to consider, through substantive inquiry, how the ideal you promote is most likely to be achieved.
Historically, has the state supported the interests of the working class for becoming organized, or has it rather tended to support the interests of business?
If the state has supported the interests of workers, then would it not follow that the state already provides the organization needed for advancement of the working class, such that unions would be unnecessary?
phoneymouse@lemmy.world 1 year ago
I mean hasn’t it supported the interests of both to some degree, but only when the working class forced it. As a rule, it tends to support business because that is where wealth is concentrated and influence follows. The most substantial gains in worker rights has always been through unions, strikes, civil disobedience, etc. acting as a catalyst for politicians to prioritize the interests of workers over business. In other words, workers need unions to be more powerful than business.
Where are you trying to go though with your questions?
unfreeradical@lemmy.world 1 year ago
You seem to be suggesting that workers should form unions, such that, when the working class develops enough power, it should use the power to press the state to force workers to forn unions.
An essential issue seems to be of circularity.
A further doubt, quite severe, is the meaningfulness of organization among workers who have not sought organization. Unions require active participation from members who believe that being organized is valuable and who conceive of themselves as agents of their own liberation.