Thesis (MA (Political Science. International Studies))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The effects of ‘accelerated globalisation’ can not be denied when observing modern
innovations shaping human life. Its development and consequent revolutionary
impact is unlike any other in modern history. The last half of the twentieth century
witnessed changes in exponential terms, such as informational and technological
innovations that constantly redefine the way people function. This study focuses on
the effect of globalisation on trade unions, paying particular attention to the formation
of liberal economic conditions, the rise of global capital flows, and the diversification
of workers, working conditions and employment patterns.
Globalisation has led to the formation of new social, economic, and political
conditions which have made it increasingly difficult for trade unions to function in
traditional ways. At the heart of this lies the fundamental opposition of capital to
labour, and increasingly so under conditions of global competition. Trade unions, are
organisations that represent worker interests through solidarity and strength in
numbers, traditionally at the national level but increasingly they are being challenged
on a global level. Thus, due to various internal and external factors, the situation
many unions find themselves in is one of survival instead of growth and influence.
The case study of Cosatu was chosen due to the benefit of analysing the
organisation’s past success as well as present situation. Although it has not been
unaffected by the problems facing unions worldwide, it has managed to achieve some
notable successes in the process. The practice of social movement unionism has been
highly effective in mobilising under-represented groups, and is found to still be
effective in South Africa, although at a diminished scale.
It is imperative for all unions to restructure the way they function so as to incorporate
previously marginalised groups, to utilise technology and globalisation to their
advantage, and to educate potential new entrants to the labour market.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1951 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Nepgen, Arnold |
| Contributors | Leysens, A. J., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Political Science. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 812095 bytes, application/pdf |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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