1 Approaching Lynch
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Gregor Gall
Abstract
As this study is both biographical and sociological, issues of social class and power, material interests and ideologies are necessarily examined, through the prism of Mick Lynch and the RMT. To do so, the study draws on insights from research in industrial relations, sociology and political science. This chapter lays these out by setting out the analytical framework and intellectual perspective for the study; the two primary parts explain how Lynch developed to the point where he became eligible to be a working-class hero and then the process by which he became a working-class hero. The first is about what was necessary to become a working-class hero without being sufficient, and the second covers what was sufficient to become a working-class hero after securing what was necessary. In both, ‘accidents of history’ played their part. From here, other layers of the analytical framework are established: the three components of power, material interests and ideology; the ‘frames of reference’; what are termed the four ‘P’s – persona, politics, period and potential power; and the six functions of leadership. The chapter then begins to operationalise these different layers of analytical framework by discussing the issue of how ‘power to’ (disrupt) can be turned into ‘power over’ (bargaining opponents).
Abstract
As this study is both biographical and sociological, issues of social class and power, material interests and ideologies are necessarily examined, through the prism of Mick Lynch and the RMT. To do so, the study draws on insights from research in industrial relations, sociology and political science. This chapter lays these out by setting out the analytical framework and intellectual perspective for the study; the two primary parts explain how Lynch developed to the point where he became eligible to be a working-class hero and then the process by which he became a working-class hero. The first is about what was necessary to become a working-class hero without being sufficient, and the second covers what was sufficient to become a working-class hero after securing what was necessary. In both, ‘accidents of history’ played their part. From here, other layers of the analytical framework are established: the three components of power, material interests and ideology; the ‘frames of reference’; what are termed the four ‘P’s – persona, politics, period and potential power; and the six functions of leadership. The chapter then begins to operationalise these different layers of analytical framework by discussing the issue of how ‘power to’ (disrupt) can be turned into ‘power over’ (bargaining opponents).
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- Preface viii
- Abbreviations ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 Approaching Lynch 9
- 2 What is a working-class hero? 29
- 3 Sparks fly! Boyhood and blacklisted but back again 53
- 4 Working for the union 70
- 5 Becoming General Secretary 86
- 6 A working-class hero is made 93
- 7 Power and participation 121
- 8 Social democracy and socialism 162
- Conclusion 195
- Appendix 1 221
- Appendix 2 225
- Notes 227
- Selected bibliography 260
- Index 265
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- Preface viii
- Abbreviations ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 Approaching Lynch 9
- 2 What is a working-class hero? 29
- 3 Sparks fly! Boyhood and blacklisted but back again 53
- 4 Working for the union 70
- 5 Becoming General Secretary 86
- 6 A working-class hero is made 93
- 7 Power and participation 121
- 8 Social democracy and socialism 162
- Conclusion 195
- Appendix 1 221
- Appendix 2 225
- Notes 227
- Selected bibliography 260
- Index 265
