World Labour Market - by Lydia Potts (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A world market in labour has been in the making since Christopher Columbus first landed on the shores of Central America in 1492. This unique book recounts the history of the extraordinary scale and constantly changing character of this movement of workers from one part of the globe to another over the past five centuries.

The author outlines this history from the Spaniards' initial enslavement of the Indian populations of Central and South America, and their replenishment by African slaves, to the present day, including contemporary migration to the USA, Europe, Japan, and the oil-rich countries of the Middle East. Throughout, the dual exploitation of women forms an integral part of this study.

The author sets this history in the context of various competing theories of capitalist expansion and its demand for labour, and begins the construction of a comprehensive theory of the world market for labour power.

Review Quotes

"Potts's outstanding achievement us to provide an overview of the transfers of labour since the discovery of America. Her pioneering study is consistently concerned with highlighting the double exploitation of women." --Peripherie

"An important contribution to our historical understanding of how capitalism functions. Well researched." --Maria Mies, author of Patriarchy and Accumulation on a World Scale

"A very worthy and well written book." --Robin Cohen, author of The New Helots

About the Author

Dr. Lydia Potts is a sociologist who currently teaches at the University of Oldenburg, Germany. In the course of researching this book, she travelled extensively throughout many of the countries which supply migrant workers to the rest of the world.
Dr. Lydia Potts is a sociologist who currently teaches at the University of Oldenburg, Germany. In the course of researching this book, she travelled extensively throughout many of the countries which supply migrant workers to the rest of the world.