Comrades and Cousins

Comrades and Cousins Synopsis

The major aim of this book of is to make a contribution towards filling a gap in the field of cross-national comparative labour history. The focus rests upon organised labour's attitudes and practices towards class, race and politics in Britain, Australia and the USA during the era of 'new imperialism', 1880s-1914. The book teases out similarities and differences both within and among nations. It is an ambitious, challenging and innovative study. It breaks new ground in terms of its subject matter and geographical focus, the questions posed, the answers given and the range of sources consulted. It is based largely upon primary sources drawn from the author's extensive research in Britain, Australia and the USA. The three essays comprising the book are published here for the first time. The book will appeal to all those interested in the past, present and future of the labour movement and other progressive causes in an increasingly globalised context.