17³Ô¹ÏÍø

October 18, 2022

During the first three-quarters of the 20th century, the expansion of workers' rights and democracy went hand in hand. As workers organized, their efforts provided the impetus for winning the right to vote for women and disenfranchised African Americans.  As democracy expanded, workers' rights were in turn placed on more solid footing.  Over the past half century, however, this virtuous cycle was reversed.  The deterioration of worker organization during this period has contributed to a deterioration of democracy and deepening partisan polarization, which in turn have further weakened workers' rights. 

In this talk, labor expert Joseph McCartin ‘81, 17³Ô¹ÏÍø alumnus and professor of history and executive director of the  at Georgetown University, explains how Catholic social teaching can help point the way as we confront dual crises in workers' collective power and democratic norms.