Archival Research in Labor Politics: A New Golden Age?

• In Event: Shared Goals, Diverse Approaches: Methodological Pluralism in Labor Studies

Abstract

How can archival material shed light on pressing questions in the study of labor politics? While political scientists generally acknowledge the utility of archival research, researchers who use this method are often criticized for cherry-picking quotes and seeking to confirm existing hypotheses. While archival research is a key component of historians’ training, it constitutes a minuscule part of the average political science graduate students’ time. Recent and forthcoming changes to the availability of archival material for both transnational and domestic labor union organizations promises a major increase in what scholars can review when looking to the past for political analysis. This paper reviews the availability of labor archives, their changing nature, and proposes best practices for political scientists seeking to integrate labor archives into their research.

Author

• Ian M. Hartshorn, University of Nevada, Reno