Historical Limits on Neoclassical Strike Theories: Evidence from French Coal Mining, 1890–1935

This study analyzes the determinants of strikes in French coal mining over the period 1890–1935. The results indicate that factors emphasized by traditional bargaining power models were more important determinants of strikes in that setting than was economic variability. This finding supports the hypothesis that neoclassical theories of strikes—Hicksian theories that strikes are a function of the parties' lack of information about the economic environment in which bargaining takes place—are inappropriate in some historical and political contexts. Specifically, the authors argue that the many settings where (as in the case considered) strikes are politically motivated, firms have simple economic structures, and collective bargaining is poorly institutionalized should provide evidence discontinuing neoclassical predictions.