Abstract
This paper discusses the relationship among labor, capital, and the state in America on the basis of the book "The State and Labor in Modern America" by Melvyn Dubofsky, which details the history of how the state in America has addressed issues involving employers and employees and how the state has shaped labor policy. The paper looks at how Dubofsky tells this part of the story chronologically from the time when the federal government took a part in labor conflicts in the late nineteenth century. The paper shows how, prior to that time, labor was largely ignored in national policy.

From the Paper
"In his book "The State and Labor in Modern America", Melvyn Dubofsky details the history of how the state in America has addressed issues involving employers and employees and how the state has shaped labor policy. Dubofsky tells this part of the story chronologically from the time when the federal government took a part in labor conflicts in the late nineteenth century. Prior to that time, labor was largely ignored in national policy. Labor only became a public policy issue because of conflicts with the major representative of big business of that era, meaning the railroads. At least since that time, the battle has raged over whether or not state intervention helps or hinders labor relations or..."

Tags:labor, capital, state

Abstract
This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes Melvyn Dubofsky's book, "The State and Labor in Modern America". The paper relates that, in the book, Dubofsky details the history of how the state in America has addressed issues involving employers and employees and how the state has shaped labor policy. The paper reviews the validity of Dubofsky's analyses and draws conclusions about the book's worth as a historical book.

From the Paper
"In the next few years, membership in the AFL declined. The steel strike of 1919 ended in failure, and business showed increasing hostility to labor through the "American Plan," essentially an antiunion, open-shop program that dominated the 1920s. The only substantial victory for labor during this period was the Railway Labor Act of 1926, but even this was only a qualified victory because it was a weak compromise of provisions that had been agreed to by rail labor and management."
"The role of labor would come to the fore once more with the New Deal, a series of regulations passed and agencies created to overcome the problems of the Great Depression. These acts brought the federal government more directly into many areas of American life, and especially into economic relations in an effort to restore confidence and solve some of the problems brought about by widespread unemployment, bank failures, and the like."

Tags:regulations, unions, employees

Abstract
This paper analyzes and examines sweatshop labor policies. Part II describes the nature of the problem involving sweatshops. In Part III, various options for solving the problem involving sweatshops are examined. Lastly, this paper concludes by outlining which solution is best and why.

From the Paper
"Sweatshops are factories where large corporations pay individuals obscenely low wages (i.e., sometimes as low as pennies per hour) for performing menial labor such as sewing clothing. Although sweatshops are generally located in third world countries, there have been numerous high-profile cases in recent years that have exposed sweatshops in the United States. The main problem with sweatshops is that they are more that just labor abuse; when you find a sweatshop you'll also find social injustice, poverty, discrimination, abuse of women, and environmental damage. In other words, sweatshops are a well-connected problem, with roots deeply ingrained in our cultural, economic, political, and social systems. "

Tags:sweatshop, labor, workforce, exploitation, wage, menial

Abstract
This paper explains that the downfall of the Soviet Union was, in part, due to the labor policies such as the promise of work, the compulsory labor policies and the promise of equal pay to many people regardless of their work. The author points out these labor policies created an apathetic attitude about productivity and success that led to an inability to stir the nation into growth, which was the cause of the ultimate downfall of the Soviet Union. The paper contends that, as the nation rebuilds, it is important that it allows a policy of free market competitiveness.

From the Paper
"The Red Army of Workers simulated what Americans know as "Unions". The difference was that the Red Army of Workers was actually controlled by the government and given freedoms that the government felt were allowable. This again wiped out any hope for motivation or drive and those who belonged simply went through the paces. The government allowed the workers to be given the right to participate in the government structure and to practice religion but later years removed such rights. The laboring masses were then nothing but workhorses who went each day, performed their duties, and did not have anything to wish for or hope for."

Tags:army, union, workers, apathetic, free

Abstract
The student relates that this graduate program in labor and policy studies will assist him in obtaining his goals in relation to education. The student further relates that in the future, he aspires to become an administrator in the educational system, and he believes that a strong emphasis on labor and policy studies will assist his work in several ways. The student explains that he believes that in the current educational system there are few administrators who actually understand the intricacies of labor and policy, which leaves a significant gap in the team effort that is supposed to exist among all members of the educational system.

From the Paper
"The graduate program in Labor and Policy Studies will assist me in obtaining my goals in relation to education. In the future I aspire to become an administrator in the educational system and believe that a strong emphasis on labor and policy studies will assist my work in several ways. I further believe that in the current educational system there are few administrators that actually understand the intricacies of labor and policy, which leaves a significant gap in the team effort that is supposed to exist among all members of the educational system. Additionally, I want to be capable of providing clear advanced knowledge about labor and..."

Tags:labor, policy, education

Abstract
This paper examines how, for over 20 years, workers have been faced with the dilemma of lack of job security, which has led to decreased productivity. Another major change that has affected productivity is American corporations' shift of focus away from making employees feel secure and appreciated, or providing them with ample pension and health care benefits plus wage increases to outpace inflation. The paper points out that, instead, the new focus of American corporations emphasizes the fiduciary responsibility to the stockholder and maximizing profits. The paper also adds that advanced technology, requiring less people but more skilled workers, and government labor policies, which removed trade barriers making it easier for American companies to outsource labor and relocate to countries with low labor costs, have had an adverse effect on American worker productivity and the American middle class. The paper concludes that the corporate/business paradigm shift from employee to stockholder is the most significant factor leading to reduced employee productivity and the erosion of the American middle class.

Outline:
Introduction
Hypothesis
Background Research
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Lack of job security is not a problem new to 2007, or even 2000, but one that has been on the rise since 1972. American companies have downsized dramatically since the late 1970s.
"In the first downsizing wave, 12% of the out placed workers left the workforce completely, 17% remained unemployed after two years. Of those finding new employment, 31% took a wage reduction of 25% or more and 32% of worker's wages were reduced by one to twenty-five percent while only 37% found no wage loss. These figures translate to 63% of people finding replacement jobs that are inferior to what they held prior to being downsized."

Tags:microeconomics, middle, class, corporation

From the Paper
"President Harry S. Truman's paramount goal in the beginning of his administration was to stabilize the economy by ending the boom-bust cycle that had brought the nation to the brink of chaos in the Great Depression (Truman, 1973, p. 305). From the beginning, he insisted that this could only be achieved if both labor and management exercised social responsibility. He did everything in his power to persuade both sides to do so. In November, 1945, he convened a labor-management conference to work out machinery for dealing with major labor disputes. On December 3, 1945, in a special message to Congress, he outlined a fact-finding program which would have established by impartial investigation how much money workers deserved to get, based on their productivity, and how much money the company could afford to pay, based on its profits. Truman specified that this was a..."

Abstract
This paper asserts that there are a host of policies that have impacted erosion of substantial employment opportunities within the United States over the past forty years. The research for this paper finds that workers for the past 20 plus years have been faced with a dilemma - their fear of job security or lack of - leads to decreased productivity.

From the Paper
"There are a host of policies that have impacted erosion of substantial employment opportunities within the United States over the past forty years. The research for this paper finds that workers for the past 20 plus years have been faced with a dilemma - their fear of job security or lack of - leads to decreased productivity. While it is easy to point to external policies like NAFTA and GIATA, the declining productivity goes back to 1972, when the average American wage ..."

Tags:labor, policies, productivity

Abstract
A nation's labor laws, stipulating work hours, job security, vacations, retirement age, compensations, employment opportunities, and chances for advancement for protected groups are intrinsically connected to that country's espoused politico-economic ideology. The paper shows that the United States, in which the capitalist market ideology prevails, has a set of labor laws, which differ in several significant areas from those that operate in many Northern European countries, such as Germany, where democratic socialism shapes national politico-economic ideologies. In comparing between several key aspects of German and American labor policies and laws, the paper concludes that, while Germany furnishes its population with a more positive work atmosphere, empowering it vis-a-vis corporate owners and establishing a legal framework that would guarantee job security, the fact remains that some perceive this as having curtailed the growth and the more efficient/effective operation of native organizations/firms. In an overall analysis, this paper illustrates that it is better to be a worker in Germany than in the United States.

From the Paper
"The point here is that, in comparison to the United States where the power of labour unions is steadily declining, German labour unions have remained consistently powerful and are in charge of negotiating practically all employment contracts, ensuring that equitable terms are offered to all workers, irrespective of gender, race, or age (Boldt, 2003). Thus, the power of the labour unions in Germany has negated the need for those laws which emphasize equitable employment terms, which are so prevalent in the United States."

Tags:trade, unions, compensation

Abstract
This paper discusses how the state of California has given rise to some of the most significant changes in American labor relations. It analyzes how throughout its history, the state has been able to provide jobs in various sectors of the economy, from agriculture to aerospace and how currently, California unions represent workers in every industry, including education, entertainment, construction, health care, petroleum refinery, clothing and transportation. It provides a few examples from California's recent history that bear witness to the power and significance of labor unions in the state. It shows how California unions help workers achieve basic human needs such as reasonable wages in tune with the national economy, healthy workplace environments and a balance of power between management and employees. Without labor unions, skilled and unskilled workers in California would be grossly underrepresented in government and politics, as unions exert powerful influence on state and local public policy.

From the Paper
"California labor unions benefited immensely from the Franklin Delano Roosevelt presidential administration. In part because of an influx of farm workers into the state from the "dust bowl" of the Great Plains, organized labor in California became increasingly important to secure rights. The National Recovery Act (NRA), and the Wagner Act, passed following the Great Depression, helped correct the injustices of California-based businesses. These new laws affected the booming oil industry in southern California, as well as the farming industry. The formation of both the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) affected California laborers because of the amount of skilled and unskilled workers in the state and due to the state's plethora of industries."

Tags:workplace, management, employees, government, public, policy