Labor Movement Origins, Ideologies, and Achievements
The Rise of the Labor Movement
The emergence of numerous workers in factories led to an awareness of their difficult working conditions and a desire to improve their situation through collective action. These movements were largely based on two new ideologies: socialism and anarchism.
Beginnings of the Labor Movement
The labor movement encompasses collective efforts by employees to improve their working conditions and advocate for policy changes.
Initially, some workers protested against poor working conditions by destroying machines, which they considered responsible for their plight. This movement was known as Luddism.
During this early period, workers were not allowed to form associations to defend their interests. The right of association was first recognized in Britain and later in other European countries towards the end of the 19th century. Subsequently, workers’ associations and unions began to emerge.
The primary means of exerting pressure was the strike. Workers generally demanded improvements in working conditions, such as reduced working hours, the abolition of child labor, wage increases, improved sanitary conditions in factories, and the creation of unemployment, sickness, and old-age insurance. They also advocated for universal suffrage, as workers at that time did not have the right to vote.
In the beginning, employers and governments attempted to disrupt the labor movement through sanctions, dismissals, and the use of police and military force to quell strikes and demonstrations.
Ideologies: Marxism and Anarchism
The labor movement is based on two main ideologies, Marxism and anarchism, which emerged before the revolutions of 1848.
- Marxism: One of the most important social theories, named after Karl Marx, in collaboration with Friedrich Engels. Marxist theory posits that industrial societies are characterized by a class struggle between the bourgeoisie (owners of factories and other means of production) and the proletariat (workers). Marx proposed a revolution to overthrow capitalism and transfer power to the workers. Following a period of the dictatorship of the proletariat, in which the state would dominate and regulate society, a communist society without classes or private property would be established, and the state would eventually disappear. Marx advocated for the organization of workers and the formation of political parties. This led to the development of socialist parties from 1875 onwards.
- Anarchism: Anarchists consistently opposed the state and sought to replace it with voluntary associations between individuals. They also rejected politics, political parties, and participation in elections. Prominent anarchists of the mid-19th century included Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Mikhail Bakunin, and Peter Kropotkin.
The International Working Class
Recognizing their shared situation, workers worldwide attempted to unite their struggles and create the International Workingmen’s Association in 1864. However, it dissolved a few years later due to disagreements between socialists and anarchists.
In 1889, some socialist leaders founded the Socialist International to coordinate programs and activities of labor organizations adhering to Marxist ideology. This organization established some of the iconic symbols of the labor movement, such as the celebration of May Day and the Internationale anthem.
Achievements of the Labor Movement
The labor movement achieved significant successes. Governments began developing labor laws to curb employer abuses, including banning child labor, granting initial maternity leave, imposing obligations on employers to pay accident insurance, and reducing working hours to eight per day.