Instructor: Fernando Leiva

Office: SS 250

Office Hours: TTh 12:00 to 2:00 pm

Phone: 442-4891

E-mail: fleiva@albany.edu

Course Overview:

This course explores the impact of "globalization" upon male and female workers in the hemisphere. It examines different theoretical perspectives, current debates and emerging research issues regarding the effects of structural adjustment programs (SAPs), export processing zones (EPZs) and regional trade agreements upon Latin American workers.

Using a combined lecture/seminar format, the course seeks to sharpen each student's ability to analyze and research the effects of "globalization" upon workers and societies in the region. Although, the emphasis will be on Latin America and the Caribbean, the implications of globalization for all workers and societies in the Americas will be explored.

Three key expressions of "globalization" (and their consequences upon both 'formal' and 'informal' sector workers) will be analyzed:

• The imposition of World Bank/IMF-sponsored economic reform programs of liberalization, privatization and deregulation (known as "Structural Adjustment Programs" (SAPs))
• The expansion of Export-Processing Zones (EZP), 'maquiladora's, and offshore service industries as governments opt for export-oriented growth
• The adoption of regional integration ("free trade") agreements such as NAFTA, MERCOSUR and the hemispheric-wide Free Trade Area Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) scheduled to be in place by 2005

The following general questions will be addressed:

• How is the current process of restructuring of Latin American changing the process of class formation and construction of identities by male and female workers.
• What types of strategies are Latin American workers using to defend living standards and assert their rights in the emerging context of global hyper-mobile capital?
• How are different theoretical approaches dealing with the complex and multifaceted impact of globalization upon workers?

Course Content:

The course is divided into six main thematic sections:

1. Studying Workers and Globalization: Constructing An Analytical Framework (2 sessions)
2. Restructuring Labor and Society in the Name of Globalization:
   1. Economic Restructuring and Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) (2 sessions)
   2. Export Processing Zones and Maquiladoras (2 sessions)
   3. 'Free Trade' and Regional Integration Agreements (2 sessions)
3. The Role of the State and Public Policy in the Context of Globalization (1 session)
4. Socio-Economic and Politico-Cultural Impacts of "Globalization" (1 session)
5. Assessing Strategies of Resistance and Transformation (2 sessions)
6. Retracing Our Itinerary and Lines of Future Research (1 Session)

Required Texts:

The basic readings for the course include:

[ac] Cravey, Altha Women and Work in Mexico's Maquiladoras Rowman & Littlefiedl Publishers Inc. (Lanman, Boulder, New York and Oxford 1998)

[FG] Anderson, Sarah and John Cavanagh, Field Guide to the Global Economy (New York: New Press, 2000).

[GO] Katz, Sheila and Chris Rosene. Going Once, Going Twice: Labour Protection in Latin American Neo-Liberal Economies: Case Studies of Mexico, Chile and Brazil. (Ottawa, Ontario: CLC, 1999)

[RP] Reading Packets 1 and 2 "Workers and Globalization", Available from Copy Center, Campus Center

[ER] Articles accessible on the Library's E-Reserve system.

[www] Reading assignments from the World Wide Web are indicated in the Course Program.

In addition, it is recommended that students track current labor conflicts in the region by subscribing to different electronic mailing lists.

Suggested Readings

[NR] Rosen, Fred and Deidre McFadyen (editors). Free Trade and Economic Restructuring in Latin America: A NACLA Reader (New York: Monthly Review Press, 1995.

Background Readings:

The following books on Latin American Labor are on Reserve and may be consulted.

Spaulding, Hobart, Organized Labor in Latin America (New York University Press, 1977)

Bergquist, Charles. Labor in Latin America: Comparative Essays on Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, and Colombia (Stanford University Press, 1986)

Epstein, Edward. Labor Autonomy and the State in Latin America (Unwin, 1989)

French, John and Daniel James, The Gendered Worlds of Latin American Women Workers: From Household and Factory to the Union Hall and Ballot Box. (Duke University Press, 1997)

McCreery, David, The Sweat of Their Brow: A History of Work in Latin America (M.E. Sharpe, 2000) [Ordered by the Library and not on Reserve]

Course Evaluation:

Each session will begin with a short introduction of the material by the instructor, and then assigned students will lead off the discussion. Adequate preparation prior to the seminar meeting is essential. Participation in seminar discussions will count for 20 per cent of the grade. This grade will come from the quality of the student's presentation of assigned weekly reading and from regular weekly participation.

This course will require students to:

• master analyses regarding the structural transformations brought about by the current phase of the internationalization of capital
• critically assess and synthesize modes of theorizing "globalization" and "workers."

This demands the active engagement of all students, who must read the material thoroughly and critically prior to the weekly meetings.

The course will be organized using a combined lecture/seminar format. For each class, students will be assigned to present a set of readings for discussion.

Take Home Midterm (due March 20, in class)	40%
Final Research Paper (due May 15, 5 pm)	40%
Class Participation	20%
Total:	100%

Schedule and Readings:

Additional readings may be assigned during the semester. You can read Internet [www] and Electronic Reserve [ER] readings by clicking on the hyperlink.

• 23 Jan Introduction to Course
• 30 Jan. Studying Workers And Globalization : A Framework
[AG] Altha Cravey. Women and Work in Mexico's Maquiladoras. Chapters 1, 2

Readings on Globalization
[RP] Waters, Malcom (1995) Globalization: Chapters 1, 2, 3

[www] Radice, Hugo (1999) "Taking Globalization Seriously," Socialist Register 1999 http://www.yorku.ca/socreg/radice99.txt

[www] Kissinger, Henry (1999). "Making a Go of Globalization," Washington Post December 20, 1999 http://www.mfa.go.th/UNCTAD10/English/press/doc/Making.htm

[FG]: Field Guide: Chapters 1 and 2

Readings on Studying Latin American Labor
[RP] Bergquist, C. (1986) "Chapter 1 and Ch. 6. Labor in Latin America: Comparative Essays on Chile, Argentina, Venezuela and Colombia. (Stanford University Press).

[RP] French, John D. and Daniel James (1997) "Squaring the Circle: Women's Factory labor, Gender Ideology and Necessity," In The Gendered Worlds of Latin American Women Workers: From Household and Factory to the Union Hall and Ballot Box. Edited by John D. French and Daniel James. (Duke University Press).

[NR] Ch1

• 6 Feb. Theoretical Perspectives on Workers and Globalization

Readings on Sociology of Work Literature

[RP] Abramo, Laís (1998) "The Sociology of Work in Latin America: A Complex Development and Current Challenges." Work and Occupations Vol 25(3) (August), pp. 305-332

Readings on Neoliberal Perspective
[RP] Cox Edwards, A.(1997) "Labor Market Regulation in Latin America: An Overview." In Labor Markets in Latin America: Combining Social Protection with Market Flexibility. Edited by S. Edwards and N.C. Lustig. (Brookings).

Readings on Neostructuralist Perspective
[ER] Lagos, R. Lagos, Ricardo. 1994) "Labour Market Flexibility: What does it really mean?" CEPAL Review 54 (December): pp. 81-95.

[RP] Amadeo, E. and S. Horton (1997) "Labour Flexibility and Productivity: An Overview." In Labour Productivity and Flexibility. Edited by E. Amadeo and S. Horton. (St. Martin's Press).

Readings on 'Labor Process' Approach
[RP] Braverman, Harry. (1974). Labor and monopoly capital. The degradation of work in the twentieth century. (Monthly Review Press). Chapters 1 and 17.

[RP] Thompson, Paul (1989) The Nature of Work: An Introduction on the Labour Process (MacMillan). Chapters 2, 3 and 5.

Restructuring Society in the Name of Globalization
Economic Restructuring and SAPS
• 13 Feb. Structural Adjustment Programs in general, Mexico

[RP] Epstein, Edward (1989). "Ch.1: A Historical Introduction." In Labor Autonomy and the State in Latin America. Edited by Edward C. Epstein (Unwin).

[ER] Standing, Guy. (1989). "Global feminization through flexible labor." World Development 17, (7): 1077-1095.

[ER] Standing, Guy. (1999). "Global Feminization Through Flexible Labor: A Theme Revisited." World Development 27 (3) March 1999, pp. 583-602.

[RP] Thomas, Jim (1996) "The New Economic Model and Labour Markets in Latin America." In The New Economic Model in Latin America and its Impact on Income Distribution and Poverty. Edited by V. Bulmer-Thomas (St. Martin's Press)

[ER] Weeks, John (1999) "Wages, employment and workers' rights in Latin America, 1970-98," International Labour Review Vol 138 (2) Page: 151 -- 169

[GO] Going Once: Ch. 1, 2

[AG] Altha Cravey, Women and Work: Chapter 3.

Recommended Readings
[NR] Nacla Reader: Ch 11, 10, 13, 4, 8

• 20 Feb. SAPs and Workers: Brazil, Chile

[GO] Going Once: Ch. 3, 4, 5

Export Processing Zones and Maquiladoras
• 6 March Export Processing Zones: Maquiladoras (I)

The logic and socio-economic aspects of Export Processing Zones

[www] ILO International Institute of Labor Studies Global production and local jobs: new perspectives on enterprise networks, employment and local development policy. International Workshop (Geneva 9-10 March 1998)
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/inst/papers/confrnce/gps/heerden.htm

[www] ILO, "Export Processing Zones: Steady Growth Provides Major Source of New Jobs," in World of Work, No. 27. December 1998
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/inf/magazine/27news.htm

[www] ILO's Special Action Programme on Social and Labour Issues inExport Processing Zones (EPZs)
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/dialogue/govlab/legrel/tc/epz/index.htm

High-Tech and Service Maquiladoras
[AG] Women and Work: Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7

[RP] Kenney, M. et. al. (1998) "Learning Factories or Reproduction Factories? Labor-Management Relations in the Japanese Consumer Electronics Maquiladoras in Mexico." Work and Occupations Vol.25 (3) (August), pp. 269-304.

[RP] Freeman, Carla (1998) "Femi0ninity and Flexible Labor: Fashioning class through gender on the global assembly line," Critique of Anthropology Vol 18 (3), pp. 245-262.

• 13 March Maquiladoras: Labor Intensive Maquilas and Working Conditions
[www] National Labor Committee 1998a. "Behind Closed Doors: The Workers Who Make Our Clothes: Report by an 8 student delegation" (October)
http://www.nlcnet.org/behindclosed/toc.htm

[NR] Ch.12

[ER] Safa, Helen (1997) "Where the Big Fish Eat the Little Fish: Women's Work in the Free Trade Zones," NACLA Report on the Americas, Vol. XXX, No. 5, (March/April), pp. 31-36.

[ER] Figueroa, Hector (1996a)"In the Name of Fashion: Exploitation in the Garment Industry" NACLA Report on the Americas, Vol. XXIX, No. 4 (Jan/Feb), pp.34-40.

[www] Kourous, George. 1998. "Workers' Health is on the Line: Occupational Health and Safety in the Maquiladoras," Borderlines 47, Vol. 6, No. 6 (Aug)
(http://www.irc-online.org) Select 'Bordelines', Select 'Back Issues'. Find

[www] Coalition for Justice in the Maquiladoras 1998. "Testimony of Auto Trim Workers in Matamoros and Valle Hermoso," Borderlines 47, Vol. 6, No. 6 (Aug)
(http://www.irc-online.org) Select 'Bordelines', Select 'Back Issues'. Find

[www] National Labor Committee 1998b. "Wal-Mart Sweatshops in Honduras" (November)
http://www.nlcnet.org/walmart/honwal.htm

[www] National Labor Committee 1999. " Fired For Crying to the Gringos: The women in El Salvador who sew Liz Claiborne garments speak out asking for justice " (July).
http://www.nlcnet.org/LIZ/FIRED/index.html

[www] U.S./Labor Education in the Americas Project, People of Faith Network, United Students Against Sweatshops. 1999. "Phillips-Van Heusen: An Industry "Leader" Unveiled: An Investigative Report into the Closing of a Maquiladora Factory in Guatemala," (June 10, 1999)
http://www.americas.org/labor/index.htm

'Free Trade' and Regional Integration Agreements
• 20 March Free Trade Agreements and Regional Integration(I)
[FG] Field Guide, Ch. 3

[RP] Grinspun, Ricardo and M. Cameron. (1993) "Ch.1: The Political Economy of North American IntegrationL Diverse Perspectives, Converging Criticisms." In The Political Economy of North American Free Trade. Edited by R. Grinspun and M. Cameron (St. Martin's Press).

[RP] Valls Pereira, Lia (1999) "Towards the Common Market of the South: Mercosur's Origins, Evolution and Challenges." In Mercosur: Regional Integration, World Markets. Edited by Riordan Roett (Lynee Rienner Publishers).

[www] Hansen-Kuhn, Karen (1996) "The Free Trade Area of the Americas," Foreign Policy in Focus, Volume 1, Number 27 December 1996
http://www.foreignpolicy-infocus.org/briefs/vol1/ftaa.html

[www] United States Trade Representative (USTR). U.S. Negotiating Position in the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Read "Labor" and "Investment."
http://www.ustr.gov/regions/whemisphere/ftaa.shtml

[www] Official Web Site of the Summit of the Free Trade Area of the Americas. See "Chronology" "Declaration of Principles" and "Plan of Action"
http://www.ftaa-alca.org/view_e.asp

[www] Bronfenbrenner, Kate (1997) "We'll Close! Plant Closings, Plant-Closing Threats, Union Organizing and NAFTA," Multinational Monitor (March), Vol. 18, No.3
http://www.essential.org/monitor/hyper/mm0397.04.html

[NR] Ch 6

• 27 March Free Trade Agreements (II)
[RP] Gereffi, Gary and Hempel, Lynn. (1996) "Latin America in the Global Economy: Running Faster to Stay in Place," in Nacla Report on the Americas, Vol. XXIX, No. 4 (Jan/Feb), pp. 18-27

[RP] Alimonda, Hector (2000). "Brazilian Society and Regional Integration," Latin American Perspectives 115, Vol. 27 (6), pp. 27-44

[RP] Wilcox Young, Linda. (1995) "Free Trade or Fair Trade?: Mexico and Agricultural Labor," Latin American Perspectives 85 Vol. 22 (1), pp. 49-58.

[RP] Guttman, M. 1998. "For Whom the Taco Bell Tolls: Popular Responses to NAFTA South of the Border," Critique of Anthropology (18) 3, pp. 297-315

[www] Ermida, Oscar (1998) "Mercosur Institutions and Labor Relations"
http://laboris.uqam.ca/conference/textes/ErmidaEng.htm

The Role of the State and Public Policy
• April 3 Globalization, the Role of the State and the Scope of Public Policies

Globalization and the State

[www] Bob Jessop. (1999) "Globalization and the National State" in Stanley Aaronowitz and Peter Bratsis, eds, Rethinking the State: Miliband, Poulantzas and State Theory . (University of Minnesota Press).
http://tina.lancs.ac.uk/sociology/soc012rj.html

[www] Carnoy, M and M. Castells. (1999) "Globalization, The Knowledge Society and the Network State: Poulantzas at the Millenium."
http://www.chet.org.za/castells/poulantzas.html

[FG] Field Guide, Ch. 4

Latin American Politics in the Age of Globalization
[RP] Oliver Costilla, Lucio. (2000). ""The Reconstitution of Power and Democracy in the Age of Capital Globalization," Latin American Perspectives 110, Vol. 27 (1) (January), pp. 82-104.

[RP] Cook, Maria Lorena (1995) "Mexican State-Labor Relations and the Political Implications of Free Trade," Latin American Perspectives 84, Vol. 22 (1), pp. 77-94

International Public Policy and Workers' Rights
[www] First Annual Report Canada-Chile Agreement on Labour Cooperation, July 1997-June 1998.
http://labour-travail.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/doc/ialc-cidt/eng/e/coveren.htm

[www] Bernard, Elaine (1997) Ensuring Monitoring is Not Coopted" Presentation to the Independent Monitoring: A Forum
http://www.tiac.net/users/htup/eb/monitor.html

[www] Jeffcott, Bob and Lynda Yanz (1997) "Voluntary Codes of Conduct: Do They Strengthen or Undermine Government Regulation and Worker Organizing?"
http://web.net/~msn/5codes3.htm

[www] Compa, Lance (1997) "A Fast Track for Labor," The American Prospect. Issue 40, Sept-Oct.
http://www.prospect.org/archives/40/40compnf.html

[www] Levinson, Jerome (1999) "Certifying International Worker Rights: A Practical Alternative," Briefing Paper. Economic Policy Institute (Washington D.C.)
http://www.lights.com/epi/virlib/BriefingPapers/1999/briefingpapers99.html

Socio-Economic and Politico-Cultural Impacts
• April 17 Globalization, Class Formation and Working Class Identities

Social Relations and Capital Accumulation: "Old" Categories

[ER] Kay, Cristobal (1989) "Chapter 4: Marginality: social relations and capital accumulation." In Kay's Latin American Theories of Development and Underdevelopment (Routledge).

[RP] Amin Shahid and M. Van der Linden. (1996) "Introduction." In "Peripheral" Labour? Studies in the History of Partial Proletarianization. Edited by S.Amin and M van der Linden. International Review of Social History Supplement 4. (Cambridge University Press).

[RP] Langer, Erik D. (1996) "The Barriers to Proletarianization: Bolivian Mine Labour, 1826-1918," In Peripheral Labour…

New Context for Old Issues

[RP] Nun, Jose (2000). "The End of Work and the "Marginal Mass" Thesis," Latin American Perspectives 110, Vol. 27 (1) (January), pp. 6-32.

[RP] Itzigsohn, Jose (1996) "Globalization, The State, and the Informal Economy: The Limits to Proletarianization in the Latin American Periphery." In Latin America in the World Economy. Edited by R.P. Korzeniewicz and W.C. Smith. (Preaguer)

[ER] Fortuna, Juan Carlos and Suzana Prates. (1989) "Informal sector versus informalized labor relations in Uruguay." In The informal economy: Studies in advanced and less developed countries. Edited by Alejandro Portes, Manuel Castells and L.A. Benton. (Johns Hopkins University Press).

Globalization, Restructuring and Identities

[AG] Women and Work: Chapter 8

[ER] Vilas, Carlos M. (1999) "The Decline of The Steady Job in Latin America;" NACLA: Jan/Feb1999.

Strategies of Resistance and Transformation

• April 24 Strategies of Resistance and Transformation (I)

Readings on Conceptualizing Resistance to Globalization

[RP] Mittelman, James (with Christine B.N. Chin) (2000) "Conceptualizing Resistance to Globalization," Chapter 9 of James Mittleman's The Globalization Syndrome: Transformation and Resistance. (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press), pp. 165-178.

[FG] Field Guide: Ch 5, 6

Readings on Workers' Resistance
[RP] Epstein, Edward (1989) "Chapter 11: The Question of Labor Autonomy," in Labor Autonomy and the State in Latin America. Edited by Edward C. Epstein (Unwin)

[RP] Antunes, Ricardo (2000) "The World of Work, the Restructuring of Production, and the Challenge to Trade Unionism and Social Struggle in Brazil," Latin American Perspectives 115, Vol. 27 (6) (November), pp. 9-26.

[www] La Botz, Dan (1998). "On the Verge of a Breakthrough? Reform, Resistance, and Rebellion Among Mexican Workers," Borderlines 48, Vol. 6, No. 7 (Sept)
http://www.irc-online.org: Select 'Bordelines', Select 'Back Issues'. Find

[www] Armbruster, Ralph. "Cross-Border Labor Organizing in the Garment and Automobile Industries: The Phillips Van-Heusen and Ford Cuautitlan Cases," in Journal of World-Systems Research 4, (1) (Winter 1998)
http://csf.colorado.edu/jwsr/archive/vol4/v4n1a3.htm

[ER] Heather Williams. "Mobile Capital and Transborder Labor Rights Mobilization." Politics and Society. 27, 1, Mar. 1999: 139-166.

• May 1 Strategies of Resistance and Transformation (II)
[ER] Cockcroft, James, 1998. "Gendered Class Analysis: Internationalizing, Feminizing, and Latinizing Labor's Struggle in the Americas," Latin American Perspectives, 26(6): 42-46.

[ER] Rosen, Fred 1999. "The Underside of NAFTA: a budding crossborder resistance," NACLA Report on the Americas. 32(4):37-40.

[RP] Moody, Kim (1997) "Conclusion: Toward an International Social Movement Unionism." In Kim Moody's Workers in a Lean World (Verso, 1997).

[www] Panitch, Leo (2001) "Reflections on Strategy for Labour," in Working Classes, Global Realities Socialist Register 2001. Edited by Leo Panitch and Colin Leys. (Merlin Press, Fernwood Press/Monthly Review Press, 2001)
http://www.yorku.ca/socreg/panitch01.html

[www] Bacon, David (1998). "Establishment Goes All Out to Stop Maquiladora Strike in Tijuana,"Borderlines 48, Vol. 6, No. 7 (Sept).
http://www.irc-online.org: Select 'Bordelines', Select 'Back Issues'. Find

[RP] Cadji, Anne-Laure. (2000) "Brazil's Landless Find Their Voice," NACLA Report on the Americas, Vol. XXXIII, No. 5, (March/April), pp. 30-35.

[RP] Navarro, Zander. (2000) "Breaking New Ground: Brazil's MST," NACLA Report on the Americas, Vol. XXXIII, No. 5, (March/April), pp. 36-39.

[RP] Figueroa, Hector (1996b) "The Growing Force of Latino Labor, NACLA Report on the Americas, Vol. XXX, No. 3, (Nov-Dec), pp. 19-24.

[RP] Kirk, Robin (1996) "Portrait of an Organizer: Yanira Merino," NACLA Report on the Americas, Vol. XXX, No. 3, (Nov/Dec), pp. 25-26.

[NR] Ch. 9, 14, 22, 23, 27

• Issues for Future Research
May 8 Retracing our Itinerary and Identifying Lines for Future Research

Internet Resources:

There are hundreds of sites dealing with issues covered in the course. Below, I have selected a few key English-language sites that provide a good springboard for your own research.

Labor Section Web Site of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA). Scholarly, union and activist websites dealing with labor in Latin America and the Caribbean.
http://www.his.latrobe.edu.au/lasa.html

International Labour Office. Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean 1998 Labour Overview. Annual publication of the ILO describing labor conditions in Latin America and the Caribbean. An excellent source for quantitative data on basic indicators.
http://www.ilolim.org.pe/english/260ameri/publ/panorama/1998/index.shtml

United Nations Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). Website gives you access to statistical and economic information compiled by ECLAC.
http://www.eclac.org/index1.html

Latin American Network Information Center The name says it all. As one happy user put it, "Each time I revisit LANIC I am more impressed."
http://lanic.utexas.edu/

Resource Center for the Americas. The Minnesota-based center has one of the best sites with information and analysis about the issues that affect people in the Americas. Visit the 'Labor Project', the 'Working Together Newsletter' links and use the "Country Lens" search engine. One stop browsing!
http://www.americas.org

Campaign for Labor Rights (CLR). A coalition of grassroots organizations involved in ending sweatshops and child labor.
http://summersault.com/~agj/clr/

National Labor Committee (NLC) seeks to educate and actively engage the U.S. public on human and labor rights abuses by corporations. It has gained prominence due to its campaigns against The Gap, Disney and Kathie Lee/Wal-Mart. Provides latest alerts on what is going on in the maquiladoras and sweatshops around the world.
http://www.nlcnet.org/

Borderlines is a monthly publication produced by the Inter-Hemispheric Resource Center, a private nonprofit research and policy institute located in Silver City and Albuquerque, New Mexico (Visit the Borderlines Index).
http://www.irc-online.org/

United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS). A coalition of 100 student groups in the US and Canada mobilizing for sweatshop free campuses.
http://www.umich.edu/~sole/usas/schoolinfo/

Workers in the Global Economy Project A joint project of the Institute for Policy Studies, the International Labor Rights Education Fund, the Economic Policy Institute and Cornell's Labor and Industrial Relations Center. It publishes papers providing useful background.
http://www.laborrights.org/projects/globalecon/papers.html

Human Rights for Workers. Insightful monthly articles covering the main issues related to ensuring human rights for workers.
http://www.senser.com