Iron law of oligarchy and trade unions in zambia pdf

Iron law of oligarchy the iron law of oligarchy is a political theory, first developed by the german sociologist robert michels in his 1911 book, political parties. Blanchflower dartmouth college, national bureau of economic research and centre for economic performance, lse revised. The industrial and labour relations act arrangement of sections part i preliminary section 1. Institute of public administration and extension services, university of benin, p. The european trade union confederation etuc, which brings these trade unions together at eu level, encapsulates some of these in the preamble to its constitution. The first deals with theories of democracy and oligarchy in trade unions by considering michels iron law of oligarchy.

The iron law of oligarchy returns march 20, 2015 from the archive. This article addresses the question of how social movement organizations are able to break out of bureaucratic conservatism. Influence of trade unions in employee relationships law teacher. The death of danny schechter, the news dissector, at age 72 from cancer marks a sad moment for independent journalism. The oxford dictionary of english defines the term oligarchy as a small.

Click here for the annual survey of violations of trade unions rights in zambia for 2011. These two federations at times unite to strengthen the workers sociopolitical representation and the labour union movement on the whole. Mar 17, 2020 the zambia congress of trade unions zctu has reported a steadily deteriorating situation for basic workers rights in the private sector, including in multinationals present in the country. His iron law is evaluated in the light of two centuries of experience in. Most studies on the impact of trade unions on employee job performance compare performance say productivity among otherwise similar firms or workplaces that differ according to the influence of trade union activity to management.

We thank the authors of the texts that give us the opportunity to share their knowledge. Zambia congress of trade union reacts to threats by. It will start by defining some terms and then give a detailed account of the behaviour of trade union officials in zambia in relation to the iron law of oligarchy and finally ends with a conlusion. The new law encouraged collective bargaining, entrenched basic workers and trade union rights, set out the procedures for legal strikes and provided protections against unfair labour practices. Muz is one of the largest trade unions in zambia and africa comprising approximately 23, 000 members scattered across 36 branches bates, 1972. Drawing on his own disillusioning experiences as a member and supporter of a socially liberal political party in early 20. Oct 11, 2016 the iron law of oligarchy is alive and well in 21st century america, with a twist or two. Trade union services and benefits in africa edited by. The years between 1989 and 1991 may be regarded as the period during which the zambia congress of trade unions zctu reached the height of its perceived influence in zambian politics. Firstly, trade unions usually function as significant collective interest groups whose role is fundamental to the reproduction of the economy. The iron law of oligarchy is alive and well in 21st century america, with a twist or two.

The vote for brexit was never a peculiarly british event, but it could be seen as such for as long as the abrupt dismissal of established elites that it involved was confined to a single country. Iron law of oligarchy sociological thesis britannica. This essay will explain the iron law of oligarchy and see if trade union officials in zambia. Find trade union expertise in zambia there are about 25 unions in zambia and the two main groupings are zambia congress of trade unions zctu and federation of free trade unions in zambia fftuz. The zambia congress of trade unions zctu has reported a steadily deteriorating situation for basic workers rights in the private sector, including in multinationals present in the country.

Times of zambia role of trade unions in work places. His iron law is evaluated in the light of two centuries of experience in the british trade unions as analysed mainly by the webbs, clegg and hyman. It asserts that rule by an elite, or oligarchy, is inevitable as an iron law within any democratic organization as part of the tactical and technical necessities of organization. The following text is used only for educational use and informative purpose following the fair use principles. It will start by defining some terms and then give a detailed account of the behaviour of trade union officials in zambia in relation to the iron law of oligarchy and finally ends with a. So, if the catchall party is not the cause of membership powerlessness it is worth going back to michels and more fully analyse his reasons for oligarchy in party organisations. It was argued that having more than one trade union in a sector facilitates effective understanding of issues affecting specific workers in that sector. The phenomenon of party oligarchy was quite general, stated michels. Pdf trade union effectiveness in zambia harrison kaunda. How unionized government enables the iron law of oligarchy. The received opinion, in terms of this view, is that all forms of organisation will eventually and inevitably develop oligarchic tendencies, irrespective of h. History of trade unionism in zambia zambia daily mail. Workers struggles in zimbabwe one such case is that of zimbabwe, which forms the focus of this article.

A lingering theory suggests there is an iron law of oligarchy afflicting social democratic parties in general, and trade unions in particular. The iron law of oligarchy refers to a provocative and very influential theory posited by german social theorist, robert michels. The partisan behaviour of trade union leadership in namibia and this behaviour is not unique to napwu does run the risk of workers taking the law into their own hands, and this is a recipe for chaos during the eraly stages of the labour movement in south africa while black trade unions were banned workers organised wildcat strikes, but with the effect. May, 2008 the first deals with theories of democracy and oligarchy in trade unions by considering michels iron law of oligarchy. Key issues and problems of internal democracy in nigeria pp. The role and influence of trade unions in the oecd david g. An act to revise the law relating to trade unions, the zambia congress of trade. May 16, 2012 unions have a wider social role beyond simply the workplace and are essential to the functioning of a healthy democracy. The reason why the trade unions were chosen as a focus of the research are numerous. In the one party era, the trade unions through their only central organization, the zambia congress of trade unions had close affinity with the party, unip and participated in the various activities of the party. Union democracy is a term referring to the governance of trade unions, in terms of the quality of election procedures at ensuring the executives of a union most accurately represent the interests of the members. Iron law of oligarchy, sociological thesis according to which all organizations, including those committed to democratic ideals and practices, will inevitably succumb to rule by an elite few an oligarchy. Who conceived the concept of the iron law of oligarchy. In zambia, it appears a law that allows a trade or a sector to have more than one union has contributed to divide and rule approach in trade unionism.

This southern african country of 12 million people has been rocked by strike action throughout the1990s. The iron law of oligarchy is a political theory, first developed by the german sociologist robert michels in his 1911 book, political parties. The election of donald trump is the second act in a play that began on a smaller stage. Now, having demolished the dynastic order embodied in the clinton and bush families, trump is bringing a. It is the purpose of this chapter to consider the historical development of trade union law and practice in zambia in so far as they have a bearing on the present day trade union status. Many trade unions also provide other benefits and discounts on services for their members. The etuc, consisting as it does of free, independent and democratic trade union confederations and european industry federations, aspires to be a unified and pluralistic.

An ingenious alternative approach compares productivity according to the governance of the firm. Michelss analysis appeared in 1911 in a book called political parties. While trade unions should remain interested in matters of democracy and good governance, as zambia has demonstrated from preindependence, we find it unacceptable to be the ones to demonise what. A case of tanzania teachers union by mohamed mussa a dissertation submitted to mzumbe university dar es salaam campus college in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of master of science in accounting and finance m sc. However, the act fell short of some of the expectations of trade unions who felt that employers had unduly influenced the law through. Its first proponent, robert michels, contended in 1911 that as administration and technology become more complex, experts with dominant personalities are needed to steer the masses.

Trade unions and democracy in zambia democracy in africa. The organizations public campaign for the democratization of zambian politics, initiated in december 1989, culminated in the electoral defeat of the united. So, if the catchall party is not the cause of membership powerlessness it is worth going back to michels and more fully analyse his reasons for oligarchy in. August, 1996 this project was funded under purchase order no.

You can think of trade unions as your insurance policy for. Trade unions, development, and democratization in zambia. In general, then, the debate over the iron law in the social movement literature has remained focused on a single and seemingly. Michels iron law of oligarchy article about michels iron. The iron law of oligarchy contends that organizational democracy is an oxymoron. The genesis of trade unionism in zambia dates back to the time of the start of mining on the copperbelt after huge deposits of copper were discovered in the region in the 1920s leading to. In his seminal analysis of the german social democratic party in 1911, michels argued that all organizations no matter how democratic their original intentions eventually come to be ruled by. According to fes, 20, unions such as mine workers union of zambiawere among the key trade unions andspoke with a strong voice. However, the act fell short of some of the expectations of trade unions who. Trade unions also provide legal representation for workers, for example to win compensation in the event of an accident or injury at work. I take it that iron rule of oligarchy means the same thing as iron law of oligarchy. Historicaltrajectoryofpublicsectorunionsinzambiasthirdrepublic. Nov 21, 2016 the election of donald trump is the second act in a play that began on a smaller stage.

How can trade unions in zambia conform to the iron rule of. Rights of employees in respect of trade union membership and its activities 6. After deriving a theory of democracy and oligarchy in trade unions based on. One may argue that america has always been an oligarchy. The corrupt elitist coalition that has undermined american liberties and is just getting started is comprised of oligarchs and government unions. Trade unions in zimbabwe 87 known examples, but important developments have taken place in a number of other settings. Michelss iron law of oligarchy robert michels 1876 1936, was a young historian who had been unable to get a job in the german university system, despite the recommendation of max weber, because he was a member of the social democrats. Jul 03, 2018 i take it that iron rule of oligarchy means the same thing as iron law of oligarchy. New workers in some private sector companies, particularly multinationals, are asked to sign a statement choosing a job over a union.