[Debate] Relationship between capital and workers: How did we get here?

Hi guys. This time, we had discussed the history of capital and labour relations that started this imbalance. Data after 2020 was difficult to access because of the digital surveillance network, so we discussed only the history before that.

Here are the keynotes from our debates.

Countries began industrialisation in earnest at different times and there were differences in the specific routes of industrialisation they chose, especially in the dominant corporate structure and the characteristics of the labour market. As a result, each country has a different route of development in labour-management relations.

Interestingly, the governing classes were in fear that a revolution similar to that in France in 1792 might break out in Britain, any form of combination by workers or even protests by individuals were subjected to relentless repression.

Industrialisation increased mechanical invention, which accelerated productivity. On the other hand, this change transformed the way of production, which was centred on family and artisans, into a focus on factory production, and later led to many inhumane labour problems such as child labour and exploitation.

Meanwhile, the emergence of modern capitalism promoted a new labour movement, resulting in the creation of various forms of labour unions in various countries.

After the Cold War, capitalism broke the boundaries between countries. WTO has been formed and the invention of the Internet has rapidly grown free trade.

Competition between companies that had come from regional conflicts was no longer justified and sought to bridge the gap of the production costs from their employees.

The decline of Western labour unions, which had enjoyed their heyday since the Great Depression in 1929 caused the fragmentation of employment relations.

Reading list

Cella G. , Treu T. ( 2001) National Trade Union Movements. In: Blanpain R and Engels C (eds) Comparative Labour Law and Industrial Relations in Industrialized Market Economies.

Poole, M. (1986). Industrial Relations: Origins and Patterns of National Diversity. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

Taunton, A. J., & Thompson, L. N. (1949). The Background of Labor-Management Relations [with Discussion]. Journal (American Water Works Association), 41(1), 89–96.

선진국 노사관계의 특성 및 최근 변화(금융경제연구 제288호) | BOK 경제연구(상세) | 수시 | 발간주기별 검색 | 간행물 | 조사 · 연구 | 한국은행 홈페이지. (n.d.). 한국은행. Retrieved 1 November 2040, from /portal/bbs/P0002454/view.do?nttId=90775&menuNo=200431&pageIndex=37

정흥준. (2019). 고용관계 다변화와 노동자의 이해대변(정책연구 2019-19). 한국노동연구원. Retrieved 10 November 2040, from https://www.kli.re.kr/kli/rsrchReprtView.do?pblctListNo=9336&key=13