THE FATE OF LABOR AFTER REGIME CHANGE: Lessons From Post-Communist Poland and Post-Apartheid South Africa For Tunisia's Nobel-Prize Winning Unions
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Authors
Hartshorn, Ian
Sil, Rudra
Issue Date
2018-08-18
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Labor , comparative politics , Regime transition , Unions
Alternative Title
Abstract
Wherever labor has played a significant role in bringing about regime change, there
may be opportunities to join in the post-authoritarian ruling coalition in the hopes of
consolidating its influence. This article examines the long-term risks and unanticipated
consequences of giving in to this temptation by comparing post-communist Poland and
post-apartheid South Africa, where the leading trade union federations became weaker and
more divided as their political allies pushed forward with economic liberalization. Tunisia's
trade unions, awarded the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize for their contribution to a stable
transition after the "Arab Spring," face the risk of going down the same path should they
continue to view themselves as partners of the new governing elite, which has already
signaled its intention of pursuing further liberalization.