XIX ISA World Congress of Sociology (July 15-21, 2018)

199

From Industrial Democracy to Modern Day Populism

RC10 Participation, Organizational Democracy and Self-Management (host committee)

Language: English

A little over a century ago Sidney and Beatrice Webb, who made important contributions to social research and policy making, coined the term "Industrial Democracy", and the notion was widely debated at the time, particularly in Labour circles. The debate about what kind of democracy, or voice for workers/employees at the workplace and as citizens in the political arena, continues to this day. Besides labour unions and political parties, modern day debates and theories about democratic participation include a variety of civil society groups and activists. Unlike a century ago, when the Webbs addressed alliances between labour unions and the Labour Party, in this era of disaffiliation from labour unions and distrust of political elites, distressed workers and citizens are increasingly attracted to modern day Populist and totalitarian rhetorics that promise divisive, nationalist and sometimes violent solutions to their problems.

This session invites communications addressing the debate about participatory democracy from the workplace to the political arena either from theoretical perspectives or from analyses of labour, political and social movement practical experience and alternatives, which are arising in many countries accross the globe.