Globalization and international labor organizing - A world-system perspective

Globalization, the rapid increase in the pace of world market and social integration, is producing a ripening global awareness among all nations and a plethora of international organizations to coordinate and promote its further development. Huge transnational corporations have led the way, followed by neoliberal states, but also included an all kinds of social, scientific, sports, and other international organizations. Missing among the major players are labor unions. Why is globalization not producing transnational labor organization? A world-system perspective is employed to explain that the sources of increased marker integration an also culprits in the weakening of unions and the associated decline of the welfare stare. The authors overview the current stare of international labor politics and examine the prospects of the leading organizations, focusing on North America. The research agenda that is advocated Emphasizes a long-term perspective and a new look at the past repertoire of international organizing.