Crisis in the West European Motor Industry: Class Struggle in the British Motor Industry

Abstract

"Crisis..." traces the origins and explores the dynamics of the serious, relatively long-run realization crisis that now plagues the West European motor industry. In addition, it examines the different alternatives available to the major European firms to cope with this crisis. The paper then argues that the dimensions of the present crisis in fact necessitate State intervention in behalf of the weaker European firms in order to (1) finance the closing of the investment gap with the more successful European firms and (2) effect a transformation of labor relations. and shopfloor work practices. Finally, "Crisis ..." turns to an examination of the motor industry in Great Britain where the unfolding of these developments has thrown the State into direct confrontation with the auto workers — indeed where the militancy of the auto workers makes the success of State intervention quite problematic.