Industrial Labour in an Unequal World: Ethnographic Perspectives on Uneven and Combined Development

The book explores the uneven character of industrial production and working-class formation through the concept of "uneven and combined development." It brings together anthropologists from different regions to analyze the complex relations between labor and workers in different places and times. The contributions highlight the role of politics, historical experiences, and future expectations in shaping industrial developments and the value of long-term ethnographic research.

Format: Hardback
Length: 245 pages
Publication date: 04 October 2023
Publisher: De Gruyter

The book delves into the deeply unequal nature of industrial production and working-class formation by bringing together anthropologists who specialize in studying industrial labor in diverse regions across South America, Western and Eastern Europe, North Africa, and South Asia. By engaging with Leon Trotsky's concept of "uneven and combined development," the authors unravel the intricate connections that bind (and sometimes disconnect) labor in their respective research sites with workers in other places and times. As the contributions further reveal, the unevenness and combination inherent in industrial developments are shaped by the diverse politics workers pursue in an unequal world, as well as by their historical experiences and future expectations. The authors also emphasize the significance of ethnographic detail and broader regional and global developments, showcasing the value of long-term ethnographic research and appealing to a wide audience, including specialists in anthropology, history, sociology, and development studies, as well as students and activists.

Weight: 558g
Dimension: 163 x 243 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783111304267