ABSTRACT
This chapter gives to setting out in some detail the major elements of contemporary structuralist models. The analytical placement of the state in the overall explanation of modern trade union practice has thus been a source of dispute amongst leading writers on corporatism. The three basic or primary structural elements which would appear to have substantial repercussions for the British labour movement are: first, the politico-economic structure; second, technology; and third, the division of labour. Proponents of the materialist conception of history of course have identified economic and technical forces as the decisive foundations of structure, and for some writers, these are seen to operate in large measure quite distinctly from human purpose, volition, or will. There are many potentially relevant secondary structures, but four main clusters are especially salient: first, the class and occupational structure; second, the size of the enterprise; third, the enterprise environment; and fourth, micro-structural factors.
