Foundations of Modern Slavery: Profiles of Unfree and Coerced Labor through the Ages

The book explores how labor power has been dehumanized and commodified throughout history, from ancient civilizations to the end of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. It examines various forms of slavery, feudalism, indentured servitude, guestworker programs, migrant labor programs, and neoslavery, and is intended for students, academia, policy makers, reformers, and general readers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 30 July 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive academic exploration delves into the dehumanization and commodification of labor power across different historical periods and geographical contexts. It examines the various forms of slavery, serfdom, feudalism, indentured servitude, guestworker programs, migrant labor programs, and neoslavery, focusing on their impact on individuals and societies. The book serves as a valuable resource for students, scholars, policymakers, reformers, and general readers interested in labor economics, labor history, global socio-economic and political transformations, and related disciplines.

The study explores the historical trajectory of labor power, tracing its dehumanization and commodification from ancient civilizations to the end of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the eighteenth century. It examines the worlds of serfdom in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Russia, feudalism in Latin America, Japan, China, and India, indentured servitude in the Europeans, Indians, and Chinese, guestworker programs in the United States and Western Europe, migrant labor programs in the Gulf States, and the contemporary world of neoslavery, particularly emphasizing human trafficking and forced labor in global value chains.

The book is meticulously researched and written in a clear and accessible style, making it suitable for students and academia in labor economics, labor history, global socio-economic and political transformations, as well as for intelligent and inquisitive policy makers, reformers, and general readers across various disciplinary fields. It offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of labor exploitation and provides a framework for understanding the ongoing challenges and struggles related to labor rights and social justice.

In conclusion, this book is a crucial contribution to the field of labor studies, shedding light on the historical and contemporary dimensions of labor exploitation and offering valuable insights into the ongoing struggle for labor rights and social justice. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of labor power and its impact on individuals and societies throughout history.

Weight: 760g
Dimension: 162 x 242 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367749064