Labour and industrial relations

From his studies of history, Arnold J. Toynbee concludes that war and class conflict are the two plagues that have destroyed or fatally smitten past civili zations. If we are to continue to enjoy the benefits of our democratic way of life, workable solutions must be developed for the problems of our industrial civilization. The author of a college textbook in industrial relations has, there fore, an obligation to come to grips with the important and pressing problems that face the country in this field-issues such as the consequences of union and management policies, concentration of economic and political power in unions and management, paralysis strikes in essential industries, inflationary pressures under collective bargaining in a full-employment economy, and proper public policies in the area of industrial relations.

The analysis in this book rests on a broad base, particularly a realistic explanation of union and management behavior and of the many dimensions of industrial employment. Labor-management relations are complex. They have social, political, and psychological as well as economic aspects. What workers or managements believe or fear may be more pertinent to the solution of a labor problem than statistical facts or logical economic reasoning. The various social sciences-economics, psychology, sociology, and political science are all needed for a full understanding of human relations in Ameri can industry.