The Far Right in the Workplace

ISBN-13: 9783031040047 / Angielski / Miękka / 2023

Seongcheol Kim;Samuel Greef;Wolfgang Schroeder

Opis

This book offers the first comparative study of far-right messaging and organizing efforts at the workplace level as well as responses by established trade unions, encompassing six European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland). Drawing on semi-structured interviews with workers and trade union actors with a focus on the automobile industry, the volume develops a classification of far-right strategies and trade union counter-strategies in comparative perspective. Based on a research project in cooperation with trade unions, the book is situated at the interface of comparative politics, industrial sociology, political economy, and political sociology.

Spis treści

Endorsements

Acknowledgments

List of Figures and Tables

List of Abbreviations

 

Chapter 1. Introduction

1.1 Taking Stock: The Far Right in the 2010s

1.2 Research Questions and Methodology

1.3 Structure of the Book

References

 

Chapter 2. The Far Right and the Workers: An Overview

2.1 Conceptual Framework: Workers, Far Right, Radical and Extreme Right, Right-Wing Populism

2.2 Literature Review: The Far Right and the Workers

2.3 Methodology: Interviews, Triangulation, and Theory-Practice Dialogue

2.4 A Comparison of Background Conditions: Far-Right Parties and Trade Unions

References

 

Chapter 3. Belgium

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Trade Unions and Workplace Representation in Belgium: An Overview

3.3 The Vlaams Belang and the Workers

3.4 Trade Unions and Far-Right Politics: An Overview

3.5 Case Study and Findings from the Field

3.5.1 Insights into the Workplace Context: DAF Trucks Westerlo

3.5.2 The Response Strategy of the ACV and ACV-Metea: Political Education outside the Workplace

3.6 Conclusion

List of Interviews

References

 

Chapter 4. France

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Trade Unions and Workplace Representation in France: An Overview

4.3 The Front National und the Workers

4.4 Right-Wing Trade Union Actors: A (Historical) Overview

4.4.1 CGSI, CFT, CSL: The Lineage of “Independent” Trade Unions

4.4.2 The FN Trade Union Experiment (1995-98)

4.5 Case Study and Findings from the Field

4.5.1 The Regional Constellation: the FN at the Factory Gates and in Town Halls

4.5.2 Insights into the Workplace Context: PSA Trémery

4.5.3 The Response Strategy of the CGT: Political Education outside the Workplace

4.6 Conclusion

List of Interviews

References

 

Chapter 5. Germany

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Trade Unions and Workplace Representation in Germany: An Overview

5.3 The AfD and the Workers

5.4 Zentrum Automobil and Right-Wing Politics: An Overview

5.5 Case Study and Findings from the Field

5.5.1 Insights into the Workplace Context: Daimler Stuttgart-Untertürkheim

5.5.2 The Response Strategy of the IG Metall: Publicity Work in the Workplace

5.6 Conclusion

List of Interviews

References

 

Chapter 6. Hungary

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Trade Unions and Workplace Representation in Hungary: An Overview

6.3 Fidesz, Jobbik and the Workers: Between Rapprochement and Threat

6.3.1 Fidesz

6.3.2 Jobbik

6.4 Trade Unions and Right-Wing Politics: An Overview

6.5.1 The Local Constellation: From MSZP to Fidesz – and then Jobbik?

6.5.2 Insights into the Workplace Context: ZF Eger

6.5.3 The Response Strategy of MASZSZ/Vasas: Economic Unionism

6.6 Conclusion

List of Interviews

References

 

Chapter 7. Italy

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Trade Unions and Workplace Representation in Italy: An Overview

7.3 The Lega and the Workers

7.4 The UGL as a Right-Wing Union Actor

7.4.1 From CISNAL to UGL

7.4.2 The UGL Today: Between Party Union, Yellow Union, and Protest Union

7.5 Case Study and Findings from the Field

7.5.1 The Local Constellation in Sant’Agata Bolognese: From Left-Wing Continuity to Right-Wing Dominance

7.5.2 The Response Strategy of the FIOM Lamborghini: Political Education in the Workplace

7.5.3 A Look beyond Lamborghini: Schnellecke and Berco

7.6 Conclusion

List of Interviews

References

 

Chapter 8. Poland

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Trade Unions and Workplace Representation in Poland: An Overview

8.3 PiS and the Workers

8.4 Solidarność and Right-Wing Politics: An Overview

8.5 Case Study and Findings from the Field

8.5.1 Insights into the Workplace Context: FCA Bielsko-Biała and Tychy

8.5.2 The Response Strategy of OPZZ/Metalowcy: Economic Unionism

8.6 Conclusion

List of Interviews

References

 

Chapter 9. Conclusions: The Far Right and the Workers in Comparative Perspective

9.1 Messaging Strategies of Far-Right Parties on Labor Issues

9.2 Organizing Strategies of Far-Right Actors in the Workplace

9.3 Response Strategies of Established Trade Unions

9.4 Conclusion and Outlook

References

 

Index

 

 

O autorze

Seongcheol Kim is a postdoctoral researcher in the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kassel, Germany.

Samuel Greef is a postdoctoral researcher in the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kassel, Germany.

Wolfgang Schroeder is Professor and Chair for Political System of Germany in the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kassel, Germany.

Blurb

“Thanks to its robust comparative design covering paradigmatic cases in Western and Eastern Europe and the authors’ careful attention to the interplay between demand and supply of far-right politics among workers, The Far Right in the Workplace is a major success and a pathbreaking contribution to a crowded field. The book offers much to learn to sociologists and political scientists as well as to trade unionists and political practitioners. A must-read for everyone interested in the roots of the far right and the future of labor politics.”

– Gábor Scheiring, Bocconi University

 

“This is a very important contribution to the study of the far right and, in particular, to the much discussed and yet widely contested relationship between the far right and workers. The early clarification of key terms, often taken for granted, such as far right and working class is particularly important and makes the case studies all the more convincing and interesting. At a time when the mainstreaming of far-right politics is ever present, this critical account is an essential read for anyone interested in these issues.”

– Aurélien Mondon, University of Bath

This book offers the first comparative study of far-right messaging and organizing efforts at the workplace level as well as responses by established trade unions, encompassing six European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland). Drawing on semi-structured interviews with workers and trade union actors with a focus on the automobile industry, the volume develops a classification of far-right strategies and trade union counter-strategies in comparative perspective. Based on a research project in cooperation with trade unions, the book is situated at the interface of comparative politics, industrial sociology, political economy, and political sociology.

Seongcheol Kim is a postdoctoral researcher in the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kassel, Germany.

Samuel Greef is a postdoctoral researcher in the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kassel, Germany.

Wolfgang Schroeder is Professor and Chair for Political System of Germany in the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kassel, Germany.