Journal of Political Economy Vol. 20 No. 9 1912
The Economic Basis of the Fight for the Closed Shop
Abstract
CLOSED SHOP I Demands on the part of the labor unions for the closed-shop form of organization have been one of the distinguishing characteristics of the labor movement in this country. Though the universality of the demand renders the question one of more than ordinary significance, discussions regarding the ethical and practical soundness of the principle have been so numerous and varied that there is little remaining to be said pro or con at the present ime. An explanation of the fundamental economic cause of the movement, however, is not so frequently attempted, and possibly there is still something that may be said bearing on this phase of the problem. Particularly is this true since considerable confusion seems to have arisen regarding the place and ends of the fight for the closed shop. The aim of the modern labor movement, taken as a whole, is obviously not the securing of any particular form of organization as such. Rather, it is simply the attainment of a power of control sufficient todemand recognition and to gain for the workman wages and conditions uch as are deemed necessary for his well-being. It is unquestionably true, however, that American unionism has persistently fought for the closed shop, and that that aim is constantly before the vast majority of trade unions today. It is so far true, in fact, that at times the object of gaining the closed shop has been forgotten, and it has been sought as a thing desirable in itself. The public, on the other hand, has almost universally condemned the movement. The reason for so doing is not always quite so clear. A very large number of people undoubtedly oppose it merely because it somehow goes against the spirit of that democracy of which we so loyally boast, to support anything which bears the taint of being "closed." Yet such a reason is scarcely one that will bear scrutiny, nor is it one which would, of itself, be very effective in the long run. The question therefore arises, on what
- DOI
- 10.1086/252114
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 928-952
- Language
- en
- Sources
- semanticscholar openalex crossref