Recognitive Arguments for Workplace Democracy

In this paper we have a twofold aim. First, we wish to show that commitments within recognition theory lend themselves readily for arguments for workplace democratization. This is done through arguing that authoritarian forms of labour organization go against fundamental recognitive needs, generating injustice and unnecessary social suffering that could be ameliorated through giving workers a proper voice. In conjunction with this aim, we offer a defence of the idea of workplace democracy from the perspective of recognition. Our goal is not to override other arguments for workplace democracy, but rather to provide additional reasons to democratize working life.