Pre-capitalism, capitalism and workers’ resistance: Note for a theory of union action

Abstract

An important and recurring theme is the relationship between the union movement and the entire labor and socialist movement, that is, the relationship between the union and the workers' party and between reform and revolution. This theme is within the scope of organizational practices and political strategies. Leaders and theorists of the II and III International, such as Kautsky, Lenin, Trotsky and Rosa Luxemburg, among others, intervened in this debate. Another important and recurring theme is the limits that the process of capital accumulation imposes on trade unionism. The current situation of the capitalist economy interferes in the correlation of forces between the union movement and employers.