Labor, Inequality, and Multiracial Democ

A central issue of our time is the strength of democracy in an era of mounting threats of authoritarianism, rising inequality, and deep insecurity and precarity for working people. This seminar will probe the relationship between labor, inequality, and an inclusive, multiracial democracy from a variety of perspectives in law, political science, sociology, history, and economics. Our discussions will address questions as varied as: Can political democracy thrive when people spend the bulk of their time in workplaces that are autocratic? What is the connection between workplace democracy and political democracy? How have global trade, outsourcing, contracting, on-call and contingent employment arrangements, monopolistic business practices, and technology shaped labor markets while contributing to rising inequality and an erosion of democracy? How does racial and gender stratification in labor markets interact with ethnonationalism and growing threats of authoritarianism—and what role does labor organizing play in countering ethnonationalism and authoritarianism? How can labor law be reformed to achieve greater workplace, economic, and political democracy, and what are new hooks and opportunities for labor organizing? During several sessions, we will be joined by policymakers and labor organizers or by academics who will present works-in-progress for discussion.