Question 1

An example of a national economy with labor market regulation that prioritizes government involvement in labor market processes is:

Accepted Answer

Germany is known for its strong government involvement in labor market processes, including regulations and social partnerships between employers, unions, and the government.

Question 2

The term lean production has been used to describe the nature of the production system in contexts where employers:

Accepted Answer

Lean production is a management philosophy focusing on minimizing waste and maximizing productivity. While it doesn't directly aim to constrain union activities, insist on specific bargaining methods, or push for one-union workplaces, in practice, it can lead to these outcomes as part of efforts to streamline operations and reduce costs. Lean production often involves reorganizing workplace practices in ways that can affect union activities, bargaining methods, and the structure of union representation.

Question 3

A conceptualization for the ways in which labor is disciplined and controlled, and how this is often distinctively arranged in specific places, is called:

Accepted Answer

"Local labor control regime" is the term that conceptualizes how labor is disciplined and controlled, often in ways that are specific to particular locations.

Question 4

Employers in industrial estates in the developing world have been shown to attempt to shape a tightly controlled workforce through the:

Accepted Answer

Employers in industrial estates in the developing world often attempt to shape a tightly controlled workforce through various means, including the preferential hiring of young women, who are perceived to be more docile and manageable; the regulation of the non-work environment through the use of dormitories, which allows for closer monitoring and control of workers' lives outside of work; and the offering of religious, educational, and sporting activities at or near the worksite, which can serve to keep workers engaged and less likely to organize or seek employment elsewhere. These strategies are part of a broader effort to maintain a stable, compliant workforce.

Question 5

____________________ can serve to constrain worker organization through trade union legislation.

Accepted Answer

National regulatory policies can directly impact worker organization through the implementation and enforcement of trade union legislation, which can either support or constrain the ability of workers to organize.

Question 6

Labor geography is a specific field that seeks to understand how workers exert ______________ in the face of the economic structures around them.

Accepted Answer

Labor geography focuses on the agency of workers, or their capacity to act independently and make their own free choices, within the constraints of economic structures.

Question 7

All employer-worker relations inherently embody tension concerning:

Accepted Answer

Employer-worker relations inherently embody tension concerning worker autonomy, wages, and nonwage benefits, as these are key aspects of employment that often involve negotiation and compromise.

Question 8

______________________ worker activism involves workers collaborating with others outside of their own employment situation in order to create solidarity and to tackle employers at a larger scale.

Accepted Answer

Upscaling worker activism refers to the process where workers join forces with individuals or groups beyond their immediate workplace. This broader coalition aims to build solidarity and enhance their bargaining power against employers on a larger scale, effectively addressing issues that transcend individual workplaces or companies.

Question 9

Organizing worker activism across localities prevents different groups of workers from being _______________________, and it enables more resources to be tapped when national and international organizations are involved.

Accepted Answer

Organizing worker activism across different localities helps prevent different groups of workers from being manipulated or set against each other by employers, fostering unity and strength in numbers.

Question 10

"Worker internationalism" refers to:

Accepted Answer

Worker internationalism refers to the coordination and solidarity among workers across national boundaries, aiming to address and combat the global dynamics of capital and corporate power. It is not about individual workers gaining international experience (A), nor about national policies on immigration (C), but about collective activism and efforts at an international scale.

Question 11

Labor has to be seen as a(n) ______________ agent in the production process.

Accepted Answer

Labor is an active agent in the production process because it directly contributes to the creation of goods and services through physical and intellectual efforts.

Question 12

In 2010, the number of people living outside their country of birth was estimated to be about ________ of the world's population.

Accepted Answer

In 2010, it was estimated that about 3% of the world's population were international migrants, living outside their country of birth.

Question 13

In China alone, internal migrants (from rural to urban areas and between regions) are estimated to number around:

Accepted Answer

China has experienced significant internal migration, with estimates suggesting around 150 million people moving from rural to urban areas or between regions. This migration is driven by economic opportunities and urbanization.

Question 14

"Mobile elites" are often characterized as:

Accepted Answer

"Mobile elites" are characterized by all the mentioned traits: they often possess significant wealth with assets in multiple countries, live in one country to avoid higher taxes in another, and are frequently employed by transnational corporations, allowing them mobility and influence across borders.

Question 15

Temporary foreign workers often have ____________________ citizens of the countries in which they are working.

Accepted Answer

Temporary foreign workers often have fewer rights than citizens of the countries in which they are working, due to various legal and social factors that can limit their access to employment benefits, protections, and legal recourse.

Question 16

In 2010, about _______ of the U.S. workforce was estimated to be unauthorized immigrants.

Accepted Answer

In 2010, unauthorized immigrants made up approximately 5% of the U.S. workforce, according to estimates from various studies and government reports.

Question 17

The emergence of "third-sector" community-owned and run enterprises is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Third-sector community-owned and run enterprises represent an alternative to traditional public or private sector employment, offering formal employment spaces that are community-focused and often aim to address social, economic, or environmental issues.

Question 18

Informal, nonmarket work activities include:

Accepted Answer

Informal, nonmarket work activities are those not officially recorded or compensated through formal market transactions. Childcare, especially when provided within the family or community without formal payment, is a prime example of such work. Part-time and freelance work, however, are typically compensated and can be part of the formal market economy, thus not fitting the criteria for informal, nonmarket activities.

Question 19

Estimates suggest that between ________ of total employment within the cities of Latin America, Africa, and Asia is informal in nature.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Estimates suggest that between ________ of total...

Question 20

Labor markets are essentially:

Accepted Answer

Labor markets are influenced by a variety of factors including government policies, cultural norms, and economic conditions, making them not solely natural outcomes of capitalism, subject to government intervention, and not always directly comparable between countries.

Quiz 6: Labor Power: Can Workers Shape