Background:

Some of modern political and sociological terms did not exist before the nineteenth century, for example the term class. In the 19th century, different ideas about the nature of work and the nobility of work developed. Wage earners, such as those working in factories, were looked down upon because they were not independent, while farmers, artisans, and business-owners were respected and admired. With growing specialization of labor and introduction of technical novelties, new industries and working groups received new names/references.

One type of early national organizations to form were worker’s unions. Workers decided that if they could unite, then they could make their voices be heard by business owners. The need for labor laws and worker’s equality started a labor movement. With the rise of unions, there also was a rise in worker’s strikes and even hostility. Government officials were called in to try to keep the peace and subdue angry employees.

According to Hunter (1999) (para. 1-4):

Historically, government has taken three approaches to labor unions: the criminal conspiracy approach, the free-market (government-neutral) approach, and the compulsory unionism approach.

Under the criminal conspiracy approach, the government views labor unions as illegal organizations that conspire to disrupt commerce or harm employers. Membership in a labor union is illegal under this approach, and so are strikes and threats designed to force employers to bestow additional benefits upon their workers. This approach existed in many states for a brief time in American history (roughly between 1806 and 1842).

The free-market (or government-neutral) approach requires that the government neither encourage nor discourage the formation of labor unions. Workers who choose to form a union are free to do so. Government does not prohibit union membership or union activity, provided existing laws against fraud, violence, and property damage are not violated. Individual workers may join or not join a union, and union leaders must earn each worker’s voluntary support by providing desired benefits. Under this approach, employers may choose to deal or not deal with the labor union and workers are free to strike regardless of how much it may economically harm their employer. This approach existed in several states mostly prior to the 1850s.

The third government approach to labor unions is the compulsory unionism approach, where government plays an active role in encouraging labor unions. The government forces employers to recognize labor unions and negotiate with them in a process called “mandatory collective bargaining.” Unions are recognized by law as “exclusive bargaining representatives” who may prohibit individual workers in their bargaining units from negotiating individual working arrangements with their employer, even if they would be better off doing so and their employer is willing. This approach arose out of the Great Depression era of the late 1920s to the mid-1930s.

One theory to come out of the mid-19th century was the idea of “free labor”; that labor, to be good, must be undertaken by the free-will of the laborer. Only when working for their own good and benefit, argued free-labor advocates, could they progress to become land-owning, independent citizens.

Three ways that 19th-century class/societal stereotypes evolved into current management and leadership practices:

Social Role Stereotypes. The thought that “women take care of things and men take charge” has affected management and leadership practices. Women are care givers and not authoritarians. That mindset has affected corporate American for quite some time, but the idea of the importance of women in managerial positions is ever evolving and becoming more prevalent.

Social Role Theory. This theory states that women and men are evaluated differently for positions of leadership. This goes back to society expecting different behaviors from men versus women. Some behaviors were not seen as appropriate for women when it was okay for a man to exhibit these same behaviors.

Intercultural Comfort and Discrimination. “Although there have been some remarkable gains in the labor force status of racial minorities, significant disparities remain. African Americans are twice as likely to be unemployed as whites (Hispanics are only marginally so), and the wages of both blacks and Hispanics continue to lag well behind those of whites (author’s analysis of Current Population Survey, 2006). A long line of research has examined the degree to which discrimination plays a role in shaping contemporary labor market disparities” (D. Pager, H. Shepherd, 2008). These discrimination tendencies date back to when classes and lines were drawn in the early years of the United States. Current workplaces are still trying to overcome stigmas and discrimination because of race and are working toward total equality in the workplace when it comes to rank and pay.

Technology, labor laws, and politics have all played a role in shaping corporate America. Some of these are:

We are living in the information and technology age. Technology has shaped corporate America using computers and the internet. We can now order items online and have them shipped right to our doorstep without seeing money exchange hands or even having to leave the house.

Labor laws have provided a safer, more efficient, and more equal work environment. “Organized labor has brought tremendous positive change to working Americans. Today, many workers enjoy higher wages, better hours, and safer working conditions. Employers often pay for medical coverage and several weeks’ vacation” (U.S. History, n.d.).

One part of corporate America that seems to have been shaped by politics is the media. This isn’t a new thing though. From the early beginnings of the printing press, there was the publication of the Federalist Papers in the 1780s which helped move the United States into the party press era. The media knew that people wanted information and they also knew that political parties wanted to be portrayed in a positive light. We still see the effects that politics have on the media and vice versa. Quite often all we know of what is going on in the American government is portrayed by the media.

Use the following resources to help you:

This first source talks about northerners and the Republican party and their idea of free labor. The article discusses how they viewed the people in the south because of their different labor options (namely slavery).

https://www.binghamton.edu/history/resources/journal-of-history/lincoln.html (Links to an external site.)

The following videos discuss how slavery begins to dominate discussions and issues in politics. It also talks about how this caused problems among leaders because they were trying to find a solution to this enormous debate. Free labor was an idea, but it came with limitations and differences from what many were used to.

MOOC | The Limits of Free Labor | The Civil War and Reconstruction, 1850-1861 | 1.6.4 – (8:50 min)

Three notes from the video:

1. In a free society, economic growth supposedly benefits everybody.

2. Oppressive labor conditions aren’t the employer’s problem, they’re a problem to be solved by employees going west.

3. The free labor outlook is for white men of the era, not people of color or women.

MOOC | The Free Labor Ideology | The Civil War and Reconstruction, 1850-1861 | 1.6.3

– (7:27 min)

Three notes from the video:

1. Free labor offers people the opportunity to improve their condition in life, up to independence and becoming a producer.

2. Economic independence is the goal of free labor.

3. Adam Smith argues that a society based on free labor will benefit more economically than one based on slave labor.

MOOC | The Free Labor Ideology | The Civil War and Reconstruction, 1850-1861 | 1.6.3

Slavery | Crash Course US History #13 – (14:24 min)

Three notes from the video:

1. Slave states were largely agricultural/rural. Urbanization largely took place in the north.

2. Some people, including founding fathers, saw slavery as a “necessary evil.”

3. Slaves often reaffirmed their humanity through family and faith.

Slavery – Crash Course US History #13 (14:24 min)

Prompt:

In a posting of at least 150 words with one properly cited IWG reference (the readings or videos from class are fine), answers the following questions:

1. Consider the idea of free labor in the 19th century. How does this impact northern society and economics? How does it impact the southern society and economics?

2. Do we have a free-labor market? Would you argue for or against free labor today? Why or why not? What benefits and pitfalls come with a free-labor market vs. an un-free labor system? Explain your reasoning.

3. Think about current management practices and state regulations. How does this idea influence management today? What effect does the idea of free labor have in your future industry?

For your citation, you might use articles that show examples of management practices and state regulations. You can also find articles from experts that suggest what effects free labor has or would have on the economy.

Your initial and reply posts should work to develop a group understanding of this topic. Challenge each other. Build on each other. Always be respectful but discuss this and figure it out together.