Suchergebnisse

This paper traces the interrelationship between changes in the British trade union and labour movement and the development of sociology in Britain since the war. It considers the ways in which both have been affected by economic and political changes and how different patterns of engagement have emerged in times of crisis.

GB's economy has been especially vulnerable to the recession in the capitalist world system. The dramatic collapse of the British manufacturing industry as a source of employment & production is analyzed: from a peak of 8.5 million jobs in 1966, employment declined to 5.5 million jobs in 1982; & imports of manufactured goods exceeded exports for the first time this century. A review of statistics & of statements by politicians, business executives, union leaders, & economic analysts shows that optimism about an upturn in the economy in 1981 was unwarranted. The failure of the measures taken by Margaret Thatcher's government to revitalize industry could leave GB totally devoid of a capital goods sector industry. This failure is rooted in a narrow-minded view of the crisis as one of productivity only; but production must be understood in the context of society. The peculiar structure of GB's economy is shaped by SC conflict, & the only hope for the future is through political struggle. C. Waters