In addition to the consumer, the laborer is essential to the culture of capitalism; without a large body of people who must survive by selling their labor, the culture of capitalism could not function. The following web sites contain information about the history and formation of the laborer. Since labor is a major component of Marxist thought, many of these sites contain information about the ideas of Karl Marx, Friedrick Engels, Vladamir Lenin, Emma Goldman, among others. Other sites are devoted to movements to improve the life of laborers, particularly in countries on the periphery of the world-system. Yet other sites contain information about the state of labor in the United States and other countries of the world.

A list of useful references on American labor history. As you check it over, find out who was Martha Ballard? What did David Roediger say about the role of race in the formation of the white working class?

The U.S. Department of Labor site containing statistics and other useful information about the American economy including statistics on employment, unemployment, wages, etc. The site also contains lonks to other sites that contain economic statistics concerning employment, wages, etc. What has the unemployment rate been for each of the past six months? What is the average hourly wage over the past six months? Browse the site and see what you can find out about occupational health and safety. For example, what are the most dangerous occupations?

By the Sweat & Toil of Children: Efforts to Eliminate Child Labor—DOL http://www.dol.gov/dol/ilab/public/media/reports/iclp/sweat5/

The fifth volume in a Congressionally-mandated series of annual reports on child labor, this recently-released report from the US Department of Labor (DOL) examines child labor in sixteen developing nations around the world. The report provides an overview of the types of work performed by the estimated 250 million child workers in these countries and their labor conditions. Also included is a review of child labor laws and enforcement efforts, descriptions of education initiatives aimed at increasing primary school enrollment, and examples of efforts to address the exploitation of working children.

A site devoted to assisting activists working to improve wages and working conditions of workers around the world. The site contains information on various initiatives regarding worker rights. For example, what is the Nike campaign and what kinds of actions has it promoted? What is the Disney campaign? has it resulted in any tangible progress to improve worker’s wages and working conditions?

Closing: The Life and Death of an American Factory
http://www.emji.net/bamberger/

A great site with lots of information on the basic contradictions in capitalism. The language of the site sometimes lapses into Marxist jargon, but don’t be put off by it. There is lots to learn here. For example, what is "Fordism"? Who was Emma Goldman and what did she have to say about Syndicalism ?

The web site of the Communist Party of Great Britain, includes present and back issues of their official publication, the Weekly Worker. What are some of the issues that the Weekly Worker addresses in its most recent issue?

The web site of the Communist party of the United States. As its counter part in Great Britain, the CP in the United States has its own weekly publication, the People's Weekly World. One of the most valuable contributions of these sites is to present an alternative view of global events from those  found in most of the mainstream media. Check some of the recent issues, and compare how the People’s Weekly World analyzes global events (e.g. the Russian financial crisis), with the way they are viewed in the mainstream press.

The CSATU was founded in 1985 and is one of the major labor and worker organizations in South Africa.  The Website contains perspectives on the labor and economic situation in South Africa.  Given the impact of AIDS in Africa, there is also a telling statement on a Code on HIV/AIDS and Employment that is worth reading.

A collection of reports relating to the Disney Corporation's alleged profiting from the use of child labor and efforts at thwarting union organization in overseas assembly plants.

A wonderful resource on the life and social philosophy of Leon Trotsky. For starters, what is Trotskyism, who was Leon Trotsky, and what did he do?

The Institute of Social History is a major documentary and research institutions in the field of social history in general and the history of the labor movement in particular.

"The International Labour Organization is the UN specialized agency which seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights."  On the site you can obtain information on internationally negotiated labor standards, statements on the rights of workers, global employment trends, and the World Employment Report 1998/99.  Check out the report: how many workers in the world are unemployed or underemployed?  What are the long-term employment trends?

"Cornell University librarians Suzanne Cohen and Deborah Joseph prepared this extensive guide to labor union information on the Internet as part of a Catherwood Library Labor/ Management Outreach Program. An eloquent introduction explains the importance of the Internet as a networking and research tool for labor organizations, and over 20 annotated webliographies guide users to online directories, statistics, company information, newsletters, and collective bargaining legal links, among other resources." (Scout Report for Business and Economics, 4/8/99)

An excellent source on international labor news.  LaborStart is designed to be the home page for those interested in labor news and events (in the same way as Netscape or Microsoft Explorer have their corporate home page) and is updated daily.  The site also contains links to international labor organizations. 

"The Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN) is a Canadian network promoting solidarity with groups in Mexico, Central America, and Asia organizing in maquiladora factories and export processing zones to improve conditions and win a living wage."  You can check on campaigns against selected corporations to gain living wages for maquiladora workers, and read an article, The Secret Life of Toys, that examines the working conditions in toy factories in China.

The primary Website for access to works of Karl Marx, Frederich Engels.  In addition to the full text of most of their works, there is extensive biographical information and a collection of photographs.  Find the Manifesto of the Comunist Party, written by Marx and Engels in 1848, and one of the most important political documents written, and read Section 1: Bourgeois and Proletarians.   To what extent do you think this section of the Manifesto has relevance today?   How do they view the role of  the lower strata of the middle class -- the small tradespeople, shopkeepers?  How do they define the bourgeoisie?  

The purpose of this Website is to organize journals and articles written "in the Marxist tradition."  There you will find an extensive list of Websites for journals, and other sites.  For example, go Social Justice E-Zine.  What are some of the topics of the articles?  Or check out Crossroads, another online journal.

An excellent site to complement the Marx-Engels Archive.  In addition to some of the writings of Marx and Engels, the site  provides access to the writings of the other major figures in the history of communism and socialism,  V. I.  Lenin,   Joseph Stalin, and Mao Tse-tung (Zedong).  There is nothing like primary sources such as these to help you understand some of the major motivating forces in world history.

The fall of the communist regimes in eastern Europe did not end the movement to establish communist parties and governments, as you can find out at this site.  Check out the Declaration of Principles and Some Elements of Program for a good summary of the goals of the International Communist League.

Strikes! Labor and Labor History in Puget Sound http://www.lib.washington.edu/exhibits/STRIKES!/index.html

The University of Washington’s Center for Labor Studies, Henry Art Gallery, and University libraries have teamed up to create this wonderful online exhibit "to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of the Seattle General Strike of 1919 and the 65^th anniversary of the Maritime Strikes of 1934." The main exhibit contains scanned images of newspaper headlines and articles, photographs, and other artifacts from the two strikes. Descriptions, stories, quotes, and excerpts accompany each item’s thumbnail image. Enlarge the images by clicking on them in order to see the details. Other resources on this Website include a short article about the Canadian experience in the strike of 1919, a brief bibliography, and an annotated links page that covers information about the Seattle General Strike of 1919, the 1934 Longshoremen’s Strike, and a couple of general sites about labor history. (Scout Report for Business and Economics, November 18, 1999)

The Website of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions contains information about member unions and news of labor actions around the world.  You can also find resources on labor activism along with Other useful links.

Date Last edited
11/24/99

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