Ursula Huws Libros

The welfare state is unfit for purpose - how can we transform it into a force for equality and social justice?

Ursula Huws offers a comprehensive analysis of how technological, economic, social, and political changes have reshaped the labor market in the 21st century. Drawing on decades of research, she explores the implications of these transformations for working life, highlighting the evolving nature of work and its effects on workers. This authoritative overview addresses critical themes such as the gig economy, automation, and the future of employment, making it essential reading for anyone interested in the dynamics of modern labor.

For every person who reads this text on the printed page, many more will read it on a computer screen or mobile device. It’s a situation that we increasingly take for granted in our digital era, and while it is indicative of the novelty of twenty-first-century capitalism, it is also the key to understanding its driving force: the relentless impulse to commodify our lives in every aspect. Ursula Huws ties together disparate economic, cultural, and political phenomena of the last few decades to form a provocative narrative about the shape of the global capitalist economy at present. She examines the way that advanced information and communications technology has opened up new fields of capital accumulation: in culture and the arts, in the privatization of public services, and in the commodification of human sociality by way of mobile devices and social networking. These trends are in turn accompanied by the dramatic restructuring of work arrangements, opening the way for new contradictions and new forms of labor solidarity and struggle around the planet. Labor in the Global Digital Economy is a forceful critique of our dizzying contemporary moment, one that goes beyond notions of mere connectedness or free-flowing information to illuminate the entrenched mechanisms of exploitation and control at the core of capitalism.

The Covid-19 pandemic highlights the failures of the current welfare state, revealing critical gaps in healthcare, housing, and social care that have led to preventable deaths. Ursula Huws, a leading policy analyst, advocates for a transformative approach to welfare, proposing a system that is equitable, sustainable, and ensures security for all citizens. Through her insights, she outlines the necessary reforms to build a resilient welfare state capable of withstanding future crises.

Volume 5 No 1 of the journal explores themes related to work organization, labor dynamics, and globalization, emphasizing interdisciplinary perspectives. It features peer-reviewed articles that delve into contemporary issues affecting the workforce and the global economy, providing insights from various fields of study. This edition aims to foster dialogue and understanding of the complexities surrounding labor in a rapidly changing world.

Volume 4 No 1 of this international journal focuses on the intersection of work organization, labor dynamics, and globalization. It features peer-reviewed articles that explore contemporary issues in these fields, providing interdisciplinary insights and research findings. The journal aims to foster a deeper understanding of how global trends impact labor practices and organizational structures across various contexts.