The Changing Role of the British State in Industrial Relations - Essay Example

How has the British s role in Industrial Relations changed over the last 30 years Industrial relations in the British region had undertaken asignificant evolution through the course of history. The study of the said factor can be related to the different essential dynamics in a nation's society and economy. Also, in addition to being an affective factor in the economic and trade development, industrial relations can be affected by different factors (Clark, 2000). Governance and the dynamics and evolution of the state have an impressive effect on the industrial relation of a nation. Not only the economy can be affected by the interaction between the state and the industrial sector, the policies and the decisions undertaken by the state through the course of history mold the nation and can draw out decisive conclusions on the status of the international relation both in trade and industries. The British state and its role in the industrial relations of the country can be considered as one of the most significant exhibition of the effects of the policies undertaken by the government and applied through the decisions undertaken by the nation. Through the course of history of the country, the past 30 years can be considered as the most significant area of study. This is due to the fact the most noteworthy decisions undertaken by the British government are undertaken during this ear. It can in fact be noted that the past decades comprise the most dynamic period in the country's history (Ackers and Wilkinson 2005). The Realm that Modified the Outlook The importance of the past 30 years in the British history specifically in the aspect of the effects of governance and the role of the state with respect to industrial relations. The event that was considered to be the main event that altered and made the greatest impression in the development if the country's economy and industrial relation is during the Trade Union Law in 1979. The said law is related to the development that had occurred in the last 30 years in the industrial relations of country. The role being played by the state was realized during this time (Beardwell 1996). In this aspect, the onset of the significance of legislation in relation to the industrial relations and the different factors in the country's trade and industries occurred in this period thus, altering the development of the industrial relations. The period prior to the legislation, was the establishment of policies that are unrelated to the legislation. There are even the developments of certain policies that were aimed to improve the industrial relations of the country but on the other hand are unrelated to the role of the state. Upon the attainment of the legislation that works on the role of the state in the improvement of the issues related a renewed phase dawned, the recognition of the role of the British state in the country's industrial relation (Clark, 2000). The realm that set the course of the British state and its role can then be analyze through the events that marked the development in the status and the participants in the industrial sector. The Changes and Developments in the Role of the State The history of the role of the British state regarding the industrial relations can be studied on the basis of the events that happened prior to the 1979 legislation, the contemporary events and situations simultaneous to the commencement of the legislation and the scenario upon the implementation of the altered role of the state. The early part in the history of the British industrial relations can be considered as one of the most difficult and trying stage. This can be related to the age of war during the said period. On the other hand after the war, the development of the alliance between the nations in the Atlantic region became one of the significant factors affecting the industrial relation (Clark, 2000). One of the most significant concepts is the 'Atlanticism' which is also referred to as the Atlantic alliance between the nations in the American and Western European regions. The main goal of the said cooperation is the improvement of the performance of the participating nations in the different aspects of development such as the economic, security and armed forces and the political and leadership policies. The said international relationship in the said region can be attributed as a significant factor that uplifted the state of industrial situation in the European nations, specifically the United Kingdom (Clark, 2000). Through the international interactions in relation to economy and industries, specifically the factors such as exchange rates, manufacturing and production and the trade and the consideration of the concepts that led to the modern trends of industrial relations. These concepts includes the notion of mass production and Fordism, the continuous analysis and interpretation of the different paradigms of industrial interaction and the effects on the important factors in the economy such as the labor and employment and the behavior of the market. Through the said period until the change in government, the study of the factors affecting the industrial relations is continuously being undertaken (Caunce 1997; Clark, 2000). An event that can be considered that gave rise to the turning point in the history of the industrial relations is the establishment of unions. The said concept can be considered to be dated back in history but the formalization of the idea became evident in the cooperation that is occurring in the different organizations and groups in the society. It can even be noted in the international scene. The definition of the industrial relations can very well be attributed to the factors relating to the trend in the different concepts in the economy such as labor, employment and unions. The success of the cooperation among the different nations in the Pacific can even be related to the said trend (Brown 1959). Upon in-depth study of the events in history, it can be surmised that the definition of industrial relations, specifically in the United Kingdom can be attributed to the development in the economy and also in the trade and industries during the period adjacent to the 1979 change in government and the legislation in the economic and industrial policies that will be applied in the government of Margaret Thatcher (Brown 1959; Caunce 1997; Clark, 2000). The subsequent period related to the war in the early part of history marked one of the successful eras in the history. This can be attributed to a period of economic growth, which partly can be attributed to the interaction and the cooperative policies of the different nations after the war. The era was marked by the interaction of the different factors in the international community. Included in these concepts are the policies related to employment and the cooperation between nations. On the other hand, in the United Kingdom the establishment of the unions can be considered as one of the significant development related to the concept of industrial relations (Beardwell 1996). The period that followed the era of economic growth can be expressed as the stage of the decline in the economic development and the failure of the policies related to the industrial relations. The era can be described as the deterioration of the state of the industry and economy. The attention was focused on the cooperation and the cohesiveness of the market. This can be attributed as the most important policy during the said period. On the other hand the said policy has a tendency to neglect the specific flaws of the system. Another possible cause of the decline and the stagnation of the economic development is the failure to recognize the importance of legislation in the development of the market and the industrial relations within the nation and in the international community (Brown 1959). Such decline can be attributed to the bypass and neglect of the political and social aspects in the development and implementation of the different decisions and projections for development. When it comes to the integration of the different policies, it can be compared to the lost of diversity in nature that can be viewed detrimental to the functioning of the system due top the fact that every component has its own unique functions, which is comparable to the individual independently functioning community and nations that participate in the unions and cooperative actions. In the participation of each independent group in the industry or economy, uniformity can be considered as the main tendency (Brown 1959). One of the most significant effects of the trend in the establishment of unions and the neglect of the political factors that are incorporated in the development is the stagnation in terms of technological prowess and advancement. Such progression that neglects the immediate affective factors such as the legislation of the state and the factors in the society can be considered as a failure to recognize the main factors that are needed to be considered to be able to achieve the optimum industrial development (Beardwell 1996; Brown 1959). The said ultimate failure of the policies applied that neglects the immediate factors in the economy and the industrial environment can be attributed to other factors such as multi-unionism and even the concept of uniformity which can be considered disruptive as the continuous decline in the economic status not only of the nation but the whole region as well (Brown 1959; Caunce 1997; Clark, 2000). These factors are considered as the main reasons for the stagnation of the growth of the economy of the Atlantic region during that time, including the nations in the America and also the European regions. Multi-unionism can be attributed to the establishment of the unions and in turn the cooperation between the different unions. The complexity of the said coalition and association is one of the dynamics that hinder the productivity of the groups in the economy (Brown 1959). Another factor that can be considered to have a great influence in the stagnation of the economic development is the concept of "Fordism" which can be related to the goal of trade and industries for the production of the maximum products possible which during that period was related to the efficiency of the system. On the other hand, the said technique again undermine the importance of the surrounding factors which when considered can bring about the needed changes in the policies applied, which can target the decline and the disintegration of the economy during the said period (Brown 1959). These events are considered to be the significant occasions that occurred prior to the establishment of the government of Margaret Thatcher and the legalization of the Trade Union Law. These events can be analyzed on the basis of the important observations regarding the events that resulted from the event prior to the present era. The course of history resulted to the different trends in the industrial relations. One of the most important trends is the evolution of the role of the state in relation to industrial sector. In the early part of the history the industrial sectors the operation is independent from the legislation and the state as well (Crouch 1993). The success and the maximum growth of the society during the post-war era can be attributed to the cooperation between the different nations. Although the said method can be considered effective and efficient of the short periods between the occurrences of war the factors that hinder independent decision making in the nations and groups participating in the industrial relations in the absence of legislation can be considered ineffective. Thus, upon the onset of a new government in the United Kingdom, the realization of the need for legislation and superimposition in the decisions being made in relation to the industry and international relations resulted in the establishment of the Trade Union Law. This resulted to the enhanced participation of the state in the industrial relations of the country (Caunce 1997). The Establishment of the Trade Union The establishment of the Trade Union Law and its commencement in 1979 can be considered as a turning point in the important role that the state has achieved as compared to the early part of the history of the United Kingdom. The said trend involved different factors and concepts that are considered important such as the market dynamics, the interaction of the state and the industries and the international relations (Beardwell 1996). The cooperation and the volunteerism can be considered as one of the most essential factor in relation to the bargaining system in the market. But the said system can be considered as an informal form due to the fact the said system worked on the basis of practicality and pragmatic application. This was due to the absence of the legislation that superimposes the application of the policies. With this regard, it can be considered that the policies that were applied prior to legislation are based on the effectiveness in application in a particular point in time (Beardwell 1996; Brown 1959). The turning point in the trend and policies undertaken by the government in the onset of the 1980s can be considered as the period of the reformation and reorganization in the industrial framework along with the relations set between localities and between nations of the region wherein the UK belongs. During the said period, the main target of the industrial sector of the society is to be able to achieve the most effective and feasible resolution to the continuous decline in the economy of the nations that are included in the cooperative organization of the nation in the particular region, if not for the whole international community (Clark, 2000). A perceived drastic resolution was surmised as required due to the fact that the said decline cannot be credited to the state of war because the cooperative action of the different nations was proven effective in the reestablishment of the economy of the different nations. What can be perceived as the main reason for the need for the establishment of the resolution to the problem is the lack of control of the state as well as the legislation in the commencement of the plans of the union of nations regarding the economic policies (Beardwell 1996). The establishment then of the legislation regarding the industrial relation of the United Kingdom is related to the stagnation of the economic development which can only be relieved through the increasing role of the state through the course of the last 30 years in the history of the British government. Importance of the Industrial Relations Through the course of the economic history of the different countries, specifically the United Kingdom had the economic and industrial growth is mainly leaning on the industrial relation systems. But on the basis of the trend that occurred in the European nations in the 1970s, it is important to consider the vitality of the role of the state in the commencement of the policies to be able to determine the different factors affecting the development of a nation. Although the legislation and the increasing role of the state to be able to achieve the growth in the economy through industrial relations, it is important to consider that in cases of the state of the international community regarding development and growth of the nation, the unequal status of participating nations is considered to have a detrimental effect in the other nations. Thus, it is essential to consider the importance of the balance in the internal factors such as the political and economic related states and the industrial and international relations (Beardwell 1996). The importance of the industrial relations was criticized due to the failure of the Industrial Relations Act. This resulted to the skepticism regarding the role of legislation and the state in the improvement of the system. The said contradictions are related to the union systems (Beardwell 1996; Brown 1959). Though this is the case it is important to consider that the time of commencement of the legislative action is essential in the effectiveness of the policy. An important consideration through of the role being played by the state is the stabilization of the decisions made by the union systems responsible in the industrial relations. The importance of the decisions made by the system can greatly affect the trade and industry and ultimately the economy. The case wherein there is an absence in the guidance and legislation in the said sector causes instability, thus, it is essential for the system to be guided. This can be considered related to the Conservative Government, which is an important union rule not only for the application on the different problems that are related to the industrial relations (Beardwell 1996). Upon the Establishment and Confirmation of the Contemporary Role of the State During the proposition and commencement of the importance of the role of the state and legislation in the industrial relation, it was considered to be one of the most significant affective factors in the functioning of the economic system. This can be attributed to the development and the realization of the need for considering the surrounding factors in relation to the decisions made related to the British industrial relations (Brown 1959). Upon the recognition of the roles, a continuous development in terms of the amalgamation in functions of the different aspects involved in the process of industrial relations. This process includes mainly the economic aspects specifically the trade and industries. These factors, as based on the development of the notion on the importance of the state, governance and legislation in the decision making is superimposed and undertaken through the leadership of the British state (Beardwell 1996). Another development that continued is the establishment of unions to be able to achieve set goals. The trend still can be considered as one of the significant and observable patterns in the contemporary society. But compared to the objectives in the unions that were set in the early part of the history, the said organizations were established on the goals of coping with the present society which is comparatively more complicated, in terms of technology and the interactions between the different sectors (Beardwell 1996; Brown 1959; Clark, 2000). Effects of the Changes and Evolution Due to the fact that the British Industrial Relations can be considered as an important factor in the society in every aspects it is important to consider the effects of the changes that were undertaken through the course of history. One of the most significant ways to be able to undertake a study on the effects is the focus on the developments that had occurred through the different periods. The alteration and the change that was undertaken during 1979 establishment of a new government can be considered as a very significant event that marked the conclusion of the attempt to hinder the application of legislative power over the industrial relations of the country (Beardwell 1996; Brown 1959). There are significant effects that can be attributed to the onset of the legislative imposition on the industrial actions. One of these effects included the intrusion of the international community most specially the European region wherein cooperation with other countries was established during the course of history. This can have notable consequence on the economic and social aspects of the nation. Another important consideration in the increasing role of the state exhibited by the legislative influence is the decrease in the freedom being exercise by the unions. Although this is the case, it is also important to consider that the limitation in the power and rights being exercised by these sectors can increase the control of the country in the trade and market parameters and dynamics that can result to the stabilization of the economic aspects of the nation (Brown, Deakin and Ryan 1997). The previous effects can be considered to be balanced by the negative and the positive attributes. It is important though to consider that the process of industrial relations can be recognized as a complicated web of interdependent aspect. One of the factors that are considered to be greatly affected by the legislation and the industrial relation policies is the labor aspect, the members of the work force and the unions. Unions are in fact one of the highlights in the study conducted through the history (Brown, Deakin and Ryan 1997). It is important to consider though that the trend affects the employment rate of the country and the stability of the market An effect of the legislation of the market according to Brown, Deakin and Ryan is the weakening of the labor market (1997). This trend is the main cause of the increasing unemployment rates in different countries. Another is the product markets which can be observed to be narrowing through the course of history (Brown, Deakin and Ryan 1997; Clark 2000). These effects, along with the different factors can be considered as the significant parameters in the study of the effects of the role of the British state in the process of industrial relations. These includes the economy, the trade and manufacturing sector, the labor and workforce, the unions - may they be of workers or union of nations, and the interrelated factors that can affect industrial relations in some ways are considered to be the essential points of comparison through the course of history. In such studies, the trends observed can be an important weapon towards the establishment of better policies in the future. Conclusion In the study of the roles of the state, it is important to consider the fact that a ruling state and any form of leadership can be considered as an essential factor to be able to ensure the stabilization of the dynamics involved. It is important to take note that the development of the role of the British state is due to the need for a factor and a force that control the system. It was observed through the course of history that although the alliance and even the unions that were established were effective for a certain period of time, leadership and guideline are considered as the most important factors in the industrial relations. Such need cannot be neglected and based on the history was not neglected due to the fact that any group or organization cannot move without a head and without guidance and guidelines. For that matter, the said roles are perceived to be held by the state, specifically the British state. Thus, assigned the state operates to provide guidance in the attainment of optimum industrial relations. References Ackers, Peter and Wilkinson, Adrian. "British Industrial Relations Paradigm: A Critical Outline History and Prognosis." Journal of Industrial Relations 2005, 47.4: 443-456. Beardwell, Ian. Contemporary Industrial Relations: A Critical Analysis. Oxford: Oxford University Press: 1996. Brown, EH Phelps. The Growth of British Industrial Relations: A Study from the Standpoint of 196-14. London: Macmillan Company, 1959. Brown, William, Simon Deakin and Paul Ryan. "The Effects of British Industrial Relations Legislation 1979-97." National Institute Economic Review 1997 161: 69. Bryson, Alex, John Forth and Neil Millward. All Change at Work British Employment Relations 1980-1998, Portrayed by the Workplace Industrial Relations Survey Series. London: Routledge, 2000. Caunce, Stephen. "A History of British Industrial Relations, 1939-1979: Industrial Relations in a Declining Economy." Business History April, 1997. Clark, Ian. Governance, the State Regulation and Industrial Relations. London: Routledge, 2000. Crouch, Colin. Industrial Relations and European State Traditions. Oxford: Oxford University, 1993. Kaufman, Bruce E. "Models of Man in Industrial Relations Research." Industrial & Labor Relations Review 1999 43.1: 72. Read More