Is Good Work Good for Democracy? Work, Change at Work and Political Participation in Canada and England

Abstract:     
This article draws on data from 750 Canadian and 450 English workers to systematically explore the implications of work for political participation, addressing whether good work, and recent trends identified in work and employment, appear to be good for political participation. It finds that various aspects of work and of the work experience, many of which have been associated with recent trends, can have significant implications. However, these implications tend to differ for passive and active forms of participation and to be weak for the former. Moreover, characteristics that might be associated with good work have negative as well as positive spillovers, suggesting contradictory effects and reducing the net positive effects of good jobs. Finally, there is some (albeit limited) evidence of cross-national differences, especially with regard to the implications of union representation.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 31

Accepted Paper Series