The Force of Labour: The Western European Labour Movement and the Working Class in the Twentieth Century

This innovative text aims to provide a comprehensive overview and comparative analysis of European labour movements from 1900 to 1990. The authors examine the links between workers and organized labour in seven European countries - Britain, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden and The Netherlands - and focus on areas such as the role of the state, labour markets, and occupation and class.

Previous works have analysed more limited periods and this has resulted in a compartmentalised approach to the subject. The broad timeframe adopted by the distinguished contributors will provide readers with fresh insights and will prompt a re-examination of currently accepted frameworks.

A welcome companion to Dick Geary's ‘Labour and Socialist Movements in Europe before 1914', this book will be widely used by students and scholars of modern European History and Politics.

Stefan Berger is a Lecturer at the School of European Studies, at the University of Wales, College of Cardiff.

David Broughton is a Lecturer at the School of European Studies, at the University of Wales, College of Cardiff