Problems in American Democracy Part 29

Industrial democracy implies the joint direction of industrial policies by employer and employees, working together harmoniously and in the spirit of equality. When industrial democracy is attained, according to this view, mutual trust and the spirit of friendly cooperation will enable labor and capital to adjust their differences peaceably and economically, without dictation from any outside source.

QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT

1. Why are we accustomed to speak of labor and capital as the two chief factors in production?

2. Why have labor organizations arisen?

3. Name some employers' a.s.sociations.

4. Contrast the aims of the union with the aims of the employers'

a.s.sociation.

5. Discuss the methods of industrial warfare.

6. Why is industrial warfare undesirable?

7. What is the att.i.tude of American democracy toward industrial warfare?

8. Name some minor methods of industrial peace.

9. Discuss the character of the trade agreement.

10. Distinguish between conciliation, mediation, and arbitration.

11. Discuss compulsory arbitration in New Zealand and Australia.

12. What is the significance of the Kansas Court of Industrial Relations?

13. What is the outlook for industrial peace in this country?

14. Define industrial democracy.

REQUIRED READINGS

1. Williamson, _Readings in American Democracy_, chapter xviii.

Or all of the following:

2. Bullock, _Elements of Economics_, chapter xiii.

3. Carlton, _History and Problems of Organized Labor_, chapter v.

4. Ely, _Outlines of Economics_, chapter xxii.

5. Fetter, _Modern Economic Problems_, chapter xx.

QUESTIONS ON THE REQUIRED READINGS

1. What are the three types of labor organizations? (Fetter, page 299.)

2. Who were the Knights of Labor? (Bullock, page 316.)

3. What is the economic justification of the trade union? (Ely, pages 445-446.)

4. Outline the history of the American Federation of Labor. (Carlton, pages 74-82.)

5. What are some of the secondary functions of the trade union?

(Fetter, pages 298-299.)

6. Among what groups of workers is the trade union strong? Among what groups is it weak? (Fetter, page 300.)

7. What effect has unionism had upon wages? (Fetter, pages 306-307.)

8. What is meant by limitation of output? (Ely, pages 449-450.)

9. What is a standard wage? (Bullock, pages 320-321.)

10. What is the legal status of the strike? (Bullock, pages 328-329.)

11. What is scientific management? (Bullock, pages 339-340.)

12. What will probably be the future development of the trade union?

(Ely, pages 468-469.)

TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION AND REPORT

I

1. Origin and growth of the trade union movement in your section.

2. Select some one trade union for study. Obtain information on the following points, either by means of literature issued by the union, or by personal interview with union officials:

(a) Aims of the union.

(b) Insurance benefits.

(c) Political activities of the union.

(d) Strike procedure.

(e) Att.i.tude toward arbitration.

3. Select for study an employers' a.s.sociation in your locality. Obtain information on the following points. (If no a.s.sociation is available, consult a friendly employer):

(a) Att.i.tude of the employer toward the trade union movement.