Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
International Conference on Political Sociology, AIS Conference “Democracy and Society: Challenges, Risks and Opportunities for Contemporary Democracy", Bologna, İtalya, 10 - 12 Ekim 2024, (Yayınlanmadı)
Labour unions, typically associated with pluralist democratic systems, not only serve as democratising forces within workplaces but also significantly increase voter turnout and promote broader civic participation (Fiorito & Padavic, 2020). Moreover, they act as conduits for information and representation in the political process, thereby reinforcing the democratic fabric of society (Sojourner, 2013). However, in many authoritarian contexts, such as China and South Korea, labour unions are often co-opted by the state, functioning as instruments to suppress dissent and maintain control over the labour force (Kwon & O’Donnell, 1999; Howell, 2008; Han Heng, 2010). This contrast illustrates that while labour unions can play a critical role in enhancing democracy and civic engagement in pluralist regimes, their function can be distorted in authoritarian contexts where they become tools of state power. But where do unions stand when it comes to the hybrid regimes that are characterising the regimes of more and more countries today? Do they serve democratisation in these countries, or do they align with the state and become a component of the repressive regime?
In this paper, which aims to contribute to this issue, we will emphasise the importance of moving beyond the dichotomous perspective that separates pluralist democratic regimes from authoritarian ones.