Labour movements have historically been among the most important organised sources of collective power in modern societies. Yet their relationship with political power varies across countries and historical periods. In some cases, labour movements have remained primarily industrial actors; in others, they have created or transformed political parties, placed members in parliament, supported opposition movements, influenced legislation, participated in government, or become important forces in democratic transitions. These experiences raise a central question: when, how and under what conditions do labour movements acquire, convert and exercise political power?
This conference track invites country, comparative and thematic studies examining the relationship between labour power and political power. It asks what forms of power labour movements possess including associational, structural, disruptive, institutional, network, coalition, discursive, electoral, parliamentary and state power, and how these resources are converted into political influence.
The track is particularly interested in labour movements' perceptions of the state and its configuration of power. Is the state understood as an instrument of domination, an arena of contestation, a potential partner, or an institution that labour movements can enter and transform? What strategies have labour movements employed to access, influence or acquire political power? These may include strikes and mass mobilisation, electoral mobilisation, lobbying, policy advocacy, engagement with political parties, support for opposition politicians, parliamentary representation, formation or sponsorship of political parties, participation in government, and alliances with civil society and social movements. Contributions are encouraged to employ multiple theoretical and analytical perspectives appropriate to their cases.
Areas for contributions include, but are not limited to:
Labour movements and the acquisition of political power: elections, parties, parliament and government.
From industrial power to policy power: strikes, lobbying, social dialogue and policy influence.
Labour movements, political parties and opposition politics: party formation, alliances and mobilisation.
Labour as counterpower and state transformer: democratisation and struggles over state power.
Success, failure and political incorporation: influence, marginalisation, repression and co-optation.
The track seeks contributions that illuminate not only how labour movements influence politics, but also how political engagement transforms their power, autonomy, identity, strategies and capacity to represent workers.