Abstract

Trade unions are crucial actors in the consolidation of democracy: they retain organizational networks which facilitate an effective mobilization of political support, rely upon a clearly defined collective identity, and can strategically use their power to control or exacerbate social conflict. The relationship between democratization, industrial relations and the position of trade unions has been differently explained in the literature by political, organizational and economic factors. The article investigates this relationship suggesting two relevant analytical dimensions - the degree of autonomy enjoyed by trade unions in the on with their counterparts, and their political mobilization on behalf of the government - and applying them to several cases of recent democratization both in South-America and Southern Europe.