Processus d’institutionnalisation de la démocratie industrielle et crises sociales en France et en Allemagne à la fin des années 1960

The work comparing the French and the German industrial relations systems usually contrasts the French state interventionism with the German tradition of an autonomous partnership among strong actors. These stereotypes might however be challenged by a further comparative analysis of the business associations’ and unions’ links to politics. The institutionalization dynamics of industrial democracy during the period following the social crisis of 68 and 69 demonstrate various common features between both cases. The transformation affecting the architecture of the industrial relations systems during the 70’s shows that a political intervention is necessary in both countries to modify the existing structure. Similar political interactions lead to opposite results in terms of institutionalization as in both trade unions’ traditions the role acknowledged to the political level as an arena to be actively used in order to fulfil goals differs a great deal. On the same time, the relationship to political actors impacts the unions’ priority setting in goal attainments, particularly between short term improvements of precise stakes and long term more encompassing social change projects. In both cases, the building of compromises implies narrow cooperation between industrial relations field, political networks and the state. The ministry of Labour plays a key role in these processes as well as in implementing the arrangements.