Radical Unionism
The Rise and Fall of Revolutionary Syndicalism
Description
During the first two decades of the twentieth century the ideas of revolutionary syndicalism developed into a major influence within the trade union movement. Committed to destroying capitalism through direct industrial action and revolutionary trade union struggle, the movement raised fundamental questions for activists across the world.
Radical Unionism provides an analysis of the dynamics and trajectory of the syndicalist movement in six specific countries: France, Spain, Italy, America, Britain and Ireland, and provides a systematic examination of the relationship between syndicalism and communism.
Author Bios
Ralph Darlington is Professor of Employment Relations at the University of Salford. His research is concerned with the dynamics of trade union organisation, activity and consciousness in Britain and internationally within both contemporary and historical settings. He is author of The Dynamics of Workplace Unionism), and The Political Trajectory of J.T. Murphy; co-author of Glorious Summer: Class Struggle in Britain; and editor of What’s the Point of Industrial Relations?: In Defence of Critical Social Science.
More Info
Publication date: September 3, 2013
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Introduction
Part One: Dynamics of the Syndicalist Movement
Chapter One Philosophy and Practice
Chapter Two Origins and Growth
Chapter Three Composition and Structure
Chapter Four Internal Divisions
Chapter Five Influence and Demise
Part Two: The Transition to Communism
Prologue
Chapter Six Moscow’s Embrace
Chapter Seven Trade Unionism
Chapter Eight Union Bureaucracy
Chapter Nine Economics and Politics
Chapter Ten State and Revolution
Chapter Eleven Leadership and the Party
Chapter Twelve Syndicalist-Communist Fusion
Bibliography
Index
