Solidaritetens gränser

This thesis examines the idea of trade union internationalism in the wake of globalization. The integration of the world’s economies has intensified the competition between the workers of the world. The thesis argues that the struggle for competitiveness has eroded the foundation for international solidarity. This implies a great paradox for trade unions, stuck between the idea of internationalism and their task to protect the interests of the members. The thesis aims to explore how the Swedish trade unions LO and IF Metall are dealing with this conflict of interests; how trade unions perceive economic globalization and increased competition; and what that means for what kind of internationalism that is possible in the wake of globalization. To identify and analyse the ideas inherent in the material an analytical framework has been developed, creating four ideal types of trade union ideology, relating to the tension between nation and internationalism on one hand, and a critical and liberal stance to globalization on the other hand. Drawing upon interviews and internal policy papers I identify three main responses to globalization: National adaptation, national resistance and internationalist resistance, whilst the first is the dominant, having certain implications for international solidarity of today