>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 10/19/2004 6:34:43 PM >>> industrial workers make up a small proportion of the working class, and unionized workers make up a minority of industrial workers. Were it not for AFSCME, NEA, AFT, and SEIU the union movement (in numbers) would be insiginificant. (Hope Michael Hoover is around to correct this, because it probably includes some important errors, but its general thrust is basic).
You can make a _start_ in understanding class in the u.s. if you recognize that the movement of the '60s (all sectors) was a working-class movement. Understanding of class that can't incorporate this fact at their core simply are living in another century. Carrol <<<<<>>>>> someone may have already responded to above... believe industrial workers make up about 20% of working class, construction trades and trucking (both, historically, among most politically conservative) have highest unionization rates at about 25%... about 13% of u.s. workers are unionized, about 10% of private sector workers, about 40% of public sector workers... while i tend to agree with carrol's comment about class and 'the '60s', however, what has been called 'new politics' movement from that period is potentially problematic...civil rights and anti-war politics were formative experiences for some who today are upper-middle stratum professional and intellectuals (well, academics)... these folks were able to influence media, congress, even judiciary in late 60s and early 70s...they played important roles in environmental, consumer, occupational health and safety legislation... principal mode of operation is as interest groups...yes, they try to distinguish themselves as 'public interest' groups...they have often adopted litigation (see nader in this regard) as chief tactic... fwiw: michael perelman mentioned that early 20th progressives were often republicans...call them 'structural' as opposed to 'social' reformers, they had faith in ultimate rightness and efficacy of capitalist system (many of them had benefitted from it)...they did, however, have fears of working class political power so they supported some state intervention and electoral changes to advance their conception of desirable public policy... michael hoover -------------------------------------------------------------- Please Note: Due to Florida's very broad public records law, most written communications to or from College employees regarding College business are public records, available to the public and media upon request. Therefore, this e-mail communication may be subject to public disclosure.
