The role of trade unions

Trade unions have been a central actor not only for industrial relations but for comparative political economy in general. Their roles have been theorised in different ways over the last fifty years, leading to a variety of analytical and normative statements. This chapter reviews the debates both on the role of trade unions and on the determinants of their variation, especially between countries and, therefore, between national political economies. It concludes by addressing, in light of the reviewed literature and evidence, the emerging open questions on whether the role of trade unions in today’s capitalism is bound to become marginal or to change.