Terms of Labor
Slavery, Serfdom, and Free Labor
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Stanford University Press
Published:1st Jan '99
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This book, Terms of Labor, examines the evolution of labor systems from slavery to free labor, highlighting key historical complexities and paradoxes.
In Terms of Labor, the complexities surrounding the transition from systems of slavery and serfdom to free labor are explored in depth. Over the past four to five centuries, this evolution has been pivotal in shaping societies in Europe, the United States, and the Caribbean. The book delves into how labor has been a central concern throughout history, examining the arrangements that govern labor production and the distribution of its products. Understanding these arrangements is crucial for grasping the broader implications of labor in the emergence of the modern world.
The volume highlights the paradoxes inherent in the rise of free labor, a concept that has evolved in different contexts. For much of history, labor was largely subject to coercive systems, with only a minority working under conditions of freedom. The authors discuss how slavery and serfdom not only dictated labor terms but also influenced political freedom, underscoring the interconnectedness of these issues. Each chapter addresses specific themes, such as European attitudes towards enslavement, the impact of British abolitionism, and the implications of the end of serfdom in Russia.
Contributions from various scholars provide a multifaceted view of free labor's definition and nature, particularly from the perspective of nineteenth-century American workers. The book also touches on the aftermath of emancipation for female laborers and the contrasting motivations behind individual and collective actions aimed at improving labor conditions. Terms of Labor ultimately connects historical arguments about free labor with the real-life outcomes for laborers, offering a comprehensive analysis of this significant transformation.
ISBN: 9780804735216
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 717g
364 pages