This book charts the turbulent history of the International Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) from its foundation in 1913, to its dissolution in 1945. Although no formal IFTU archive survives, Geert Van Goethem has drawn on a wealth of documentary sources in France, Germany, Britain, North America and Scandinavia to reconstruct a convincing and lively account of the IFTU, which is intrinsically bound up with the history of the inter-war period.

World War II defined the 20th century and shaped the contemporary world; from the decolonization of Africa to the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall. This work offers an overview of this complex and volatile era, taking into account the political, economic and social factors, as well as military circumstances of the road to war and its consequences.

This book is the first comprehensive account of the International Labour Organization’s 100-year history. At its heart is the concept of global social policy, which encompasses not only social policy in its national and international dimensions, but also development policy, world trade, international migration and human rights. The book focuses on the ILO’s roles as a key player in debates on poverty, social justice, wealth distribution and social mobility subjects and as a global forum for addressing these issues. The study puts in perspective the manifold ways in which the ILO has helped structure these debates and has made – through its standard-setting, technical cooperation and myriad other activities – practical contributions to the world of work and to global social policy.