Why Workplace Democracy is Important

Introduction

The concept of workplace democracy refers to a model of organisational governance whereby all employees are granted an equal democratic voice in the decision-making processes of the enterprise in which they are employed. In a capitalist organisational setting, the decision-making process is predominantly the purview of the executives and shareholders, commonly referred to as capitalists. A limited group of individuals who are solely concerned with maximising its own profit makes all of the decisions. The implementation of democratic principles in the workplace would serve to mitigate the influence of the profit motive. This would be achieved through the collective decision-making process, whereby all members of the workplace are involved in the process of making decisions, and the outcomes of such decisions are shared by all. In contrast, the capitalist workplace is characterised by a hierarchical decision-making structure, where a select few individuals make decisions in private, which may not necessarily be in the best interest of all members of the workplace. The decentralisation of power from a select group of executives to a larger body of workers would yield advantages not only for the employees of the enterprise in question, but also for the broader populace, who are similarly impacted by the determinations made by said enterprise. The advent of large corporations such as Walmart in local communities in the United States of America, resulting in the elimination of competing entities and the subsequent reduction in the number of grocery options available, has been shown to have negative societal implications. It has been observed that Walmart has been known to engage in employee mistreatment, food wastage, and exclusive reliance on products from other profit-maximising corporations. The significance of worker democracy is of utmost importance. In order to prevent monopolistic and duopolistic entities from imposing their decisions upon a society in which they do not reside. In the hypothetical scenario where workers possess equal democratic power, it is posited that they would be unlikely to make decisions that have adverse effects on the very community they reside in.

Why Workplace Democracy is Important

The implementation of democratic principles within the workplace has the potential to yield numerous advantages for both the organisational setting of the workplace and the surrounding community. The strategic choices that an enterprise must undertake extend beyond the immediate purview of casual observation. Undoubtedly, the workforce of a given organisation is subject to the direct impact of determinations such as staff selection and termination, remuneration, and other related matters. However, it is noteworthy that the enterprise also exerts a significant influence on the surrounding community where it is situated. Massive companies possess significant financial resources that enable them to penetrate unexplored sectors and establish extensive infrastructures, ultimately resulting in the displacement of indigenous businesses. In instances where a given sector offers limited options, each of which is subject to the complete control of profit-driven capitalists, society is left with a predetermined set of choices dictated by the whims of these capitalists. There exists additional instances beyond the internal operations of an enterprise. The automotive sector has been observed to engage in political intervention across various nations with the objective of augmenting their financial gains through the perpetuation of societal reliance on automobiles.

The implementation of a collectively managed economic relationship will result in the eventual eradication of the sociopolitical influence wielded by profit-seeking capitalists. Abdicating the relinquished economic hegemony and sociopolitical influence in favour of the contemporary populace who labour and reside within the societal construct. The absence of workplace democracy can lead to a scenario where the political structure of society transforms into an oligarchy, as capitalists amass wealth and power, thereby undermining the democratic fabric of society. The significance of workplace democracy lies in its ability to sustain democracy across all societal domains, thereby alleviating the economic hardships and vicissitudes that are inherent to capitalism and borne by the labouring class.

How Workplace Democracy Can Be Implemented

The optimal approach to instituting workplace democracy would involve the utilisation of politically democratic and politically bureaucratic methodologies. It is evident that capitalists have integrated themselves into the sociopolitical structures of numerous nations across the globe. There exist divergent perspectives regarding the means by which to attain the requisite workplace democracy that would preclude capitalists from exercising undue influence over societal functions. Given that this current paper does not pertain to the subject matter of revolution or reformation, a brief overview will be provided with the intention of elaborating further on this topic in a subsequent paper.

The establishment of workplace democracy is a primary objective among economic leftists, who posit that such a goal can be realised through the subversion of an oppressive government that is often subject to the influence of the capitalist class. Numerous other adherents of economic leftism advocate the notion that the implementation of workplace democracy ought to be achieved through either political reforms or economic measures, such as resorting to strikes or unionisation. A more amiable, albeit less expeditious methodology.

In Conclusion

Upon comprehending the concept of workplace democracy, individuals may inquire as to the actionable steps they can take to implement it. The availability of options for individuals residing in certain regions may be limited. Nevertheless, the act of unionising or affiliating with leftist groups within one's community can prove to be highly advantageous in the pursuit of the emancipation of the proletariat. The act of engaging in strikes and unionising can prove to be a challenging endeavour for individuals residing in regions where such activities are prohibited by law or are considered a social taboo. The social pressure exerted on individuals may be so significant that they may opt to resign from their employment voluntarily, thereby absolving the capitalist of the responsibility of terminating the labourer.