Le syndicalisme britannique dans la première mondialisation (1868-1914)

British trade-unionism has often been described as less concerned with international matters than its continental counterparts. But did the founders of the TUC really live in a secluded world? This article examines the different ways in which they reacted to the ‘first globalisation’. Between 1868 and 1914, they were indeed confronted with many a dilemma. Were they to collaborate at all with the ‘workers of the world’? Should the globalisation of capitalism be praised, curtailed or overturned? Should the building of the British empire be supported, reformed or opposed? Over the years, a common Weltanschauung seems to have emerged, which articulated minimum involvement with the international labour movement, trust in free-trade and imperial pride. By setting the history of British trade-unionists in a transnational context, this article is also an attempt at putting into perspective the present debates over how globalisation affects labour organisations