John R. Commons and the Wisconsin School on Industrial Relations Strategy and Policy

Posted: 12 Dec 2003

See all articles by Bruce Evan Kaufman

Bruce Evan Kaufman

Georgia State University - Department of Economics

Abstract

The field of industrial relations in the United States is largely rooted in the early twentieth-century writings of John R. Commons and the Wisconsin School. The author documents and describes their strategy and recommended policy approach for improved industrial relations. The three core components of their strategy were stabilization of markets, equalization of bargaining power, and constitutional government in industrial enterprise. The author also shows that the thinking of Commons and his associates on the best way to achieve these three goals evolved through four distinct phases, starting about 1900 and ending in the late 1930s.

Keywords: John R. Commons, Wisconsin School, industrial relations policy, history of industrial relations

JEL Classification: B15, J50, J80

Suggested Citation

Kaufman, Bruce Evan, John R. Commons and the Wisconsin School on Industrial Relations Strategy and Policy. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=464440

Bruce Evan Kaufman (Contact Author)

Georgia State University - Department of Economics ( email )

P.O. Box 3992
Atlanta, GA 30302-3992
United States
404-651-2922 (Phone)
404-651-3299 (Fax)

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