Insurgency Trap

Eli Friedman

Description

During the first decade of the twenty-first century, worker resistance in China increased rapidly despite the fact that certain segments of the state began moving in a pro-labor direction. In explaining this, Eli Friedman argues that the Chinese state has become hemmed in by an "insurgency trap" of its own devising and is thus unable to tame expansive worker unrest. Labor conflict in the process of capitalist industrialization is certainly not unique to China and indeed has appeared in a wide array of countries around the world. What is distinct in China, however, is the combination of postsocialist politics with rapid capitalist development.Other countries undergoing capitalist industrialization have incorporated relatively independent unions to tame labor conflict and channel insurgent workers into legal and rationalized modes of contention. In contrast, the Chinese state only allows for one union federation, the All China Federation of Trade Unions, over which it maintains tight control. Official unions have been unable to win recognition from workers, and wildcat strikes and other forms of disruption continue to be the most effective means for addressing workplace grievances. In support of this argument, Friedman offers evidence from Guangdong and Zhejiang provinces, where unions are experimenting with new initiatives, leadership models, and organizational forms.

Sujets

• Sociology
• Industrial relations
• History of Asia
• China
• Labour

Informations

• Publié par: Cornell University Press
• Date de parution: 08 mai 2014
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780801470516
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

INSURGENCY TRAP

INSURGENCY TRAP Labor Politics in Postsocialist China

Eli Friedman

ILR PRESS AN IMPRINT OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY PRESS ITHACA AND LONDON

Cornell University Press gratefully acknowledges receipt of a grant from the Hull Memorial Publication Fund of Cornell University as well as a Subsidy for Publication grant from the Chiang Chingkuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange (USA), which generously assisted in the publication of this book.

Copyright © 2014 by Cornell University

All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Cornell University Press, Sage House, 512 East State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850.

First published 2014 by Cornell University Press First printing, Cornell Paperbacks, 2014

Printed in the United States of America

Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data Friedman, Eli, author.  Insurgency trap : labor politics in postsocialist China / Eli Friedman.  pages cm  Includes bibliographical references and index.  ISBN 9780801452697 (cloth : alk. paper) –  ISBN 9780801479311 (pbk. : alk. paper)  1. Labor unions—China—History. 2. Labor unions and socialism—China. I. Title.  HD6837.F77 2014  322'.20951—dc23 2013046810

Cornell University Press strives to use environmentally responsible suppliers and materials to the fullest extent possible in the publishing of its books. Such materialsincludevegetablebased,lowVOCinksandacidfreepapersthatare recycled, totally chlorinefree, or partly composed of nonwood fibers. For further information, visit our website at www.cornellpress.cornell.edu.

Cloth printing Paperback printing

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To my parents

Contents

List of Tables and Figures Acknowledgments Abbreviations

1. Labor Politics and Capitalist Industrialization 2. The History and Structure of the ACFTU 3. Guangzhou: At the Forefront of Union Reform? 4. sgilODcihcramodiecomtionficatcro?eSinnolaU and Crises of Representation 5. acitiloPgnivlovyomonEclekrnIusWrondtheErgencya of the Pearl River Delta 6. Chinese Labor Politics and the Global Economy

Notes Bibliography Index

ix xi xiii

1

29

61

92

131

161

181 193 207

Tables and Figures

Tables  1.  2012 insurance participation rates among migrant workers  2.  Legal activities of unions, 2002–2007  3.  Foreign investment in Zhejiang, 2007  4.  Wageonly collective contracts, 2006

Figures  1.  Labor disputes in China, 1996–2012  2. Health care spending in China, 1978–2009  3. Education expenditures, 1992–2009  4. Government expenditures on education as a share of GDP, 1992–2009  5. Government expenditures on social security and employment, 1978–2010  6. Schematic of countermovements  7.  Number of workers per dispute, 1996–2009  8. Union organization and the system of “dual control”  9. “If you don’t work hard today, you will Translation: work hard looking for a job tomorrow.” 10. Location of Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces in China 11. Zhejiang province 12. Percentage of workforce in manufacturing

ix

12 50 98 104

4 9 10

10

11 22 50 58

83 94 97 170