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Citizenship at work. A guiding principle for social and trade union policy

Author

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  • Ulrich Mückenberger

    (Bremen University/Centre for European Law and Politics)

Abstract

In the fraught relationship between capitalist economy and political democracy, the latter often comes off second best. Have we come to accept that democracy ends at the factory gates? This article argues the contrary – that there are reasons enough today to establish and enforce the status of citizenship for employees at work. Today’s working people have such diverse personal circumstances and working conditions that only their status as ‘citizens’ gives them a common social bond that fosters solidarity. The demand for ‘reconciliation’ of work and life outside of work is now being formulated more radically: namely that people should not remain objects of economic authority, but instead that labour relations should be remodelled according to human needs. Citizenship at work is a step towards the democratic humanization of working life. Individual citizen rights are not a substitute for collective employee participation, but give it an indispensable foundation. This article traces the development of the concept of citizenship at work and outlines its prospects of becoming a reality. It draws on progressive democratic and republican values and impulses for change and sets them against a still often autocratic corporate culture.

Suggested Citation

  • Ulrich Mückenberger, 2016. "Citizenship at work. A guiding principle for social and trade union policy," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 22(1), pages 25-44, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:22:y:2016:i:1:p:25-44
    DOI: 10.1177/1024258915619360
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Streeck, Wolfgang, 2011. "The crisis in context democratic capitalism and its contradictions," MPIfG Discussion Paper 11/15, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.
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