The Invention of Free Labor: The Employment Relation in English and American Law and Culture, 1350-1870 (Studies in Legal History) [Paperback]

Robert J. Steinfeld (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0807854522 | ISBN-13: 978-0807854525 | Publication Date: June 30, 2002

Examining the emergence of the modern conception of free labor--labor that could not be legally compelled, even though voluntarily agreed upon--Steinfeld explains how English law dominated the early American colonies, making violation of labor agreements punishable by imprisonment. By the eighteenth century, traditional legal restrictions no longer applied to many kinds of colonial workers, but it was not until the nineteenth century that indentured servitude came to be regarded as similar to slavery.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Both for its own particular ideas, and as an example of what labor law history is beginning to achieve, it is a book to be recommended.
(Labor History)

Product Details

• Paperback: 286 pages
• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press (June 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807854522
• ISBN-13: 978-0807854525
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #644,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Changed my entire view of employment law, April 4, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Invention of Free Labor: The Employment Relation in English and American Law and Culture, 1350-1870 (Studies in Legal History) (Paperback)

Steinfeld's book challenges the usual view of the history of American employment law. The usual nutsell account goes: For centuries there was laissez faire; now we at least partly protect worker's rights.

Steinfeld stresses that the at-will rule is a ninetheenth century invention and a radical one at that. He examines the period before the at-will rule to show that the background of modern employment doctrine is the quasi-feudal master-servant relationship, reflected in institutions like 18th century indentured servitude. Steinfeld's achievement is to pull together relatively well known facts and show step by step, how 19th century individualism reacted to prior law by creating the otherwise puzzling body of law known as the at-will rule. A must read for any labor scholar.