Pure and simple politics : the American Federation of Labor and political activism, 1881-1917 / Julie Greene.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Greene, Julie, 1956- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

American Federation of Labor--History.

American Federation of Labor.

Labor unions--Political activity--United States--History.

Labor unions.

Labor movement--United States--History.

Labor movement.

United States--Politics and government.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xi, 293 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

Pure & Simple Politics

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 1998.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Scholarship on American labor politics has been dominated by the view that the American Federation of Labor, the dominant labor organization, rejected political action in favor of economic strategies. Based upon extensive research into labor and political party records, this study demonstrates that, despite the common belief, the AFL devoted great attention to political activity. The organization's main strategy, however, which Julie Greene terms 'pure and simple politics', dictated that trade unionists alone should shape American labor politics. Exploring the period from 1881 to 1917, Pure and Simple Politics focuses on the quandaries this approach generated for American trade unionists. Politics for AFL members became a highly contested terrain, as leaders attempted to implement a strategy which many rank-and-file workers rejected. Furthermore, its drive to achieve political efficacy increasingly exposed the AFL to forces beyond its control, as party politicians and other individuals began seeking to influence labor's political strategy and tactics.

Contents:

pt. 1. The Rise of Pure and Simple Politics. 1. Building the Federation. The Social Roots of the AFL. Preserving the Trade Unions. Gompers and the Triumph of Conservative Unionism. 2. The Revolt Against Party Slavery. The Problem of Working-Class Politics. The Birth of "Pure and Simple" Politics. Gompers's Political Vision. 3. Labor's New Century. The Federation's Political Agenda. The Open-Shop Drive. Lobbying and Class Conflict. Beyond Lobbying

pt. 2. The Strike at the Ballot Box. 4. A Popular Uprising of Honest Men. Labor's Program. Resources at the Top. Tactics at the Bottom. Political Conflict in the AFL. 5. Delivering the Labor Vote. Partisan Culture and the Working Class. The Birth of Labor's Democracy. Shall the People Rule?

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-107-11191-9

1-280-41664-5

0-511-17314-8

0-511-15212-4

0-511-30211-8

0-511-50979-0

0-511-05264-2

OCLC:

437250323