In the Name of Liberty
The Argument for Universal Unionization

This book reclaims the argument from liberty from the political right to justify universal unionization and other progressive policies.

Mark R. Reiff (Author)

9781108818599, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 16 June 2022

429 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 2.5 cm, 0.646 kg

'Reiff's book provides welcome relief for political philosophers who have been kept waiting for a proper treatment of this important topic. Further discussion of unions, and related issues of labour market justice, will be immensely enriched by Reiff's important contribution.' Daniel Halliday , Law and Philosophy

For years now, unionization has been under vigorous attack. Membership has been steadily declining, and with it union bargaining power. As a result, unions may soon lose their ability to protect workers from economic and personal abuse, as well as their significance as a political force. In the Name of Liberty responds to this worrying state of affairs by presenting a new argument for unionization, one that derives an argument for universal unionization in both the private and public sector from concepts of liberty that we already accept. In short, In the Name of Liberty reclaims the argument for liberty from the political right, and shows how liberty not only requires the unionization of every workplace as a matter of background justice, but also supports a wide variety of other progressive policies.

Introduction
1. The libertarian argument for unions
2. The union as a basic institution of society
3. In defense of public sector unionization.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA], Politics & government [JP], Social & political philosophy [HPS]