Jake Grumbach, author of Laboratories Against Democracy: How National Parties Transformed State Politics, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about his book, which attempts to make a direct correlation between organized labor and the strength of America’s democracy.
Grumbach is also an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Washington.
According to the findings in his book, Grumback said a decrease in the overall number of union members has weakened democracy in the U.S. As organized labor membership decreased, it detached workers from their work identity. This meant breadbox topics, such as wages, were no longer a main voting issue. Over time, this change in identity, he argued, has threatened the democratic process and lowered the quality of America’s democracy.
The decline in union membership not only weakened democracy, but it hurt diversity and inclusion, said Grumbach. He then discussed the increasing wage gap between men and women and the different races.
He also spoke about current statistical trends that reveal several bright spots for organized labor. Grumbach, though, is still concerned about the outsourcing of U.S. manufacturing jobs and explained why there will not be a significant increase in overall union membership until more manufacturing jobs return to the U.S.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.