China as an Emerging Epicenter of World Labor Unrest (original) (raw)

The paper explores the phenomenon of labor unrest in China against the backdrop of globalization and capital mobility. Contrary to the prevalent thesis that globalization leads to a 'race to the bottom' in workers' rights and welfare, it argues that the influx of capital into China correlates with rising labor conflict, presenting empirical evidence of increasing strikes and protests among workers. The authors contend that as capital seeks cheaper and more manageable labor, it inadvertently fosters new working classes and labor-capital conflicts, exemplifying a historical pattern observed in previous industrialization phases.