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, guestworkers, migrant labor programs, and neoslavery, and is intended for students, academia, policy makers, and readers interested in labor economics, history, and global socio-economic and political transformations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
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, feudalisms 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 scholars alike. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the historical and social factors that contributed to the dehumanization of labor and explores the ongoing challenges and implications of these practices in the modern world.

The book has wide-ranging appeal and can be valuable to a diverse audience, including students and scholars in labor economics, labor history, global socio-economic and political transformations, Economics, Political Science, History, Sociology, Anthropology, and Law. It provides insights into the complex relationships between labor, power, and social structures and offers valuable perspectives on policy and reform initiatives.

In conclusion, this book is a crucial contribution to the field of labor studies and global socio-economic and political transformations. It offers a comprehensive and insightful examination of the dehumanization and commodification of labor power across different historical periods and geographical contexts. By providing a rich historical and analytical framework, it empowers readers to understand the complex dynamics of labor exploitation and advocate for more equitable and humane labor practices.

Weight: 628g
Dimension: 234 x 157 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367749071