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DC Field | Value | Language |
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dc.contributor.author | Freeman, Bradford William | en_US |
dc.date.accessioned | 2014-06-18T16:41:26Z | - |
dc.date.available | 2014-06-18T16:41:26Z | - |
dc.date.created | 2010-08-25 | en_US |
dc.date.issued | 1979-09 | en_US |
dc.identifier.other | opendissertations/3219 | en_US |
dc.identifier.other | 4235 | en_US |
dc.identifier.other | 1471902 | en_US |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11375/7979 | - |
dc.description.abstract | <p>The theory still used to explain the political life of democratically structured organizations stems primarily from Robert Michels "iron law of oligarchy" which holds that all organizations must inevitably be controlled by small well organized groups. Lipset, Trow and Coleman have modified this theory by showing that some voluntary groups develop a system of competing slates or parties because of certain organizational features, but they admit this is a rarity. Despite widespread acceptance of this theory of oligarchy there has accumulated much evidence to show that in many large trade union locals a system of slates or parties which compete for political power is the rule rather than the exception. This study of Local 1005 of the Steelworkers, located in Hamilton Ontario, an organization which has had slates for many years, is an attempt to explore once again the social forces which shape the political life of a democratically structured organization in order that we may more adequately understand these issues of oligarchy and democracy. In our view part of the problem with this body of literature is that previous studies have been flawed by a limited understanding of democracy, and a focus on organizational features, but they admit this is a rarity. Despite widespread acceptance of this theory of oligarchy there has accumulated much evidence to show that in many large trade union locals a system of slates or parties which compete for political power is the rule rather than the exception. This study of Local 1005 of the Steelworkers, located in Hamilton Ontario, an organization which has had slates for many years, is an attempt to explore once again the social forces which shape the political life of a democractically structured organization in order that we may more adequately understand these issues of oligarchy and democracy. In our view part of the problem with this body of literature is that previous studies have been flawed by a limited understanding of democracy, and a focus on organizations in one point of time. Our approach broadens the definition of democracy to include both the existence of opposition and evidence of high levels of participation. It also adopts a political economy approach which emphasises the importance of understanding historically the economic and political forces that shape the local and focuses on internal organizational features. Perhaps the most important contribution of the study, therefore, is its unique focus on factors that are both external and internal to the organization. The findings of the study show that the influence of societal economic and political factors on the life of the local have been quite important. The level of militancy of the membership is determined primarily by broad economic conditions, and it in turn creates either demands for political change or feelings of complacency in the local. The industrial relations system is a constant influence on 1005's political life because there are serious frustrations built into the system that cannot be resolved. External political influences are also important because members of similar political persuasion have grouped together, and because ideologies originating in society influence the political activists. The study also found that certain internal features of the local shape its political life by sustaining the system of slates. One of the most important is the division of this large steel mill into different departments. As a result a type of delegates system has emerged where prominent leaders are able to deliver the votes of their department to the slates they support. The system also depends on the constant elections at membership meetings because they force the slates to stay active. Finally the social characteristics of leaders has played a role in grouping people of similar backgrounds into slates. Oligarchy in voluntary organizations is, therefore, by no means inevitable, but there are both democratic and oligarchic elements to all groups. This study shows that Local 1005 has had highly organized slates competing for political power for much of its history thus satisfying one element of the definition of democracy, but high levels of apathy continue, and, therefore, the local is still oligarchical when judged by its level of participation.</p> | en_US |
dc.subject | Sociology | en_US |
dc.subject | Sociology | en_US |
dc.title | Oligarchy and Democracy: A Study of the Political Life of a Local Union | en_US |
dc.type | thesis | en_US |
dc.contributor.department | Sociology | en_US |
dc.description.degree | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | en_US |
Appears in Collections: | Open Access Dissertations and Theses |
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fulltext.pdf | 147.95 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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