The Challenge of Labour: Shaping British Society, 1850-1930

The Challenge of Labour (1980) explores how the relationship between labor and British society changed from 1850 to 1930, due to economic and social pressures from foreign competitors. It emphasizes the importance of the forces of production and labor as a creative act, leading to a unique symbiosis between labor and society. After the 1870s, the relationship transformed due to Britain's economic development, resulting in a modern pattern of social relations marked by corporatist solutions to instability.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 06 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Challenge of Labour (1980) delves into the intricate transformations that occurred in the relationship between labor and British society from 1850 to 1930. During this transformative era, Britain, as the pioneering force in modern industrial development, faced mounting pressure from foreign competitors, leading to profound economic and social changes. The book explores the crucial role of the forces of production in shaping the nature of this relationship, while simultaneously recognizing labor as a creative act that affirms human beings' social nature. This period witnessed the emergence of a distinctive symbiosis, characterized by a mutually dependent yet simultaneously antagonistic relationship, evident in the growth of trade unionism, working-class self-help associations, and laborist political movements from 1850 to 1870.

However, the trajectory of labor's relationship with British society underwent a significant shift after the 1870s. This shift was influenced by the changing direction of Britain's economic development, which led to the adoption of corporatist solutions to address economic and social instability. As a result, a recognizable "modern pattern of British social relations" emerged, marked by a growing acceptance of these corporatist approaches.

The Challenge of Labour provides a comprehensive analysis of these historical developments, shedding light on the complex interplay between labor, capital, and society in shaping the evolution of British industrial relations. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and policymakers interested in understanding the historical roots of contemporary labor issues and the ongoing challenges facing workers in the modern economy.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032597904