EURODEM_WORKSIPG · Democracy at work in Europe: actors, cultures and models in historical and comparative perspective (1973-2023). Case studies from Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal in the railway and energy sector

Industrial democracy has a centuries-old and European origin. After its momentum during the second post-war period and the flowering of experiences during the 1970s, it sank into relative decline in the context of the triumph of the neoliberal perspective, with changes in global economic governance and a new process of globalization. In the mid-90s and, in particular, following the effects of the Great Recession of 2008, the topic once again gained interest that has continued to the present day. The objective of EURODEM_WORKSIPG is to carry out a historical analysis of this issue in its European dimension between 1973-2023. It is a comparative study of the changes/continuities of the actors (employers and workers) and work cultures from 4 countries (Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal), 2 productive sectors (rail transport and energy sector), and 8 business corporations, public and private in nature. It adopts an interdisciplinary perspective, adding sociological approaches, political theory and law to the methodology of history. Experienced academics and young researchers will collaborate, with planned assignments and exchanges, in an innovative project that contributes to strengthening the conceptual bases of the problem. Synergies with extra-academic partners will allow the construction and consolidation of an international research network. The expected cross-sector impact will provide policymakers, business and union leaders, and members of labour NGOs with recommendations to address democracy at work. There will be wide dissemination and awareness among citizens about a better future of work as a social link, currently weakened, an intermediate social space of democratic reinforcement, promoter of equality and social justice, in line with the objectives of Horizon Europe, and brake against authoritarian impulses inside and outside the company.