Participation and democracy at work

Jeff Hyman, Paul Thompson and Bill Harley (eds), Palgrave, 257 pages, paperback, £26.99

This book starts with a paradox: workers today have less control over managerial decisions than they did in the 1970s, but they are subjected to an increasing volume of discussions about employee involvement, consultation and other forms of participation.

What follows is an analysis and celebration of the pioneering work of Harvie Ramsey, who rejected the view that participation represents a gradual humanisation of capital - arguing that it is in fact part of a "cycle of control" used to gain workers' compliance. However, Ramsey did not dismiss all efforts at workplace participation, seeking instead to identify the limits of the process.

These issues have great current relevance in the context of globalisation, touching on matters such as flexible working, works councils, employee share ownership and team working. The contributions to this book are thought-provoking and clarify important matters for trade unionists.