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Abstract

In this work, I have attempted to account for divergences in the choice of neoliberal policies by labour-party governments. I have focused upon labour parties rather than social democratic parties generally because of the particular common aspects of labour parties— they are parties that were created to be the political expression of the interests of trade unions and in which the unions had influence over party policy. The ranks of the unions affiliated to labour parties were (indirect) members of the parties, alongside the dues-paying members of labour-party branches (as they are known in New Zealand and Australia) or constituency parties (the British equivalent). Labour parties could thus be guaranteed a virtual monopoly on working-class political representation, while other social democratic parties could not be so assured.

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© 2015 Jason Schulman

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Schulman, J. (2015). Conclusion. In: Neoliberal Labour Governments and the Union Response. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137303172_5

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