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User:RayneVanDunem/Student syndicalism
A compendium of evolving theories on student syndicalism.
Contents
Everything within the student union[edit]
While I have never actually been a member of an ASB, students' union, council or government, I just started thinking about the possible influence of student unions upon society.
Student unions as opposed to trade/labo(u)r unions[edit]
Trade unions are born out of the corporate workforce and its growing demand for flexibility and accommodation (i.e., raises, incentives, insurance); while they may protest and reach long-sought-for amicable agreements (which usually involve payouts to the workers) with the managers and CEOs, the trade unions ultimately depend upon the corporations for their existence, and their members help in the manufacture of products.
Students' unions, on the other hand, are born out of student bodies and their growing, but different demand for flexibility and accommodation. Unlike the workers of the trade unions and corporations which both gain and promote/produce products (for both themselves and others), students' unions are more focused upon the provision of various services for paying member students, and the students which receive such services may (or may not) participate in the delivery of services to other students.
Because of this difference between students and workers, I think that the students in educational institutions are, or may be, the most natural vanguard for a cooperative, non-corporate influence.
Student unions as cooperative[edit]
Student unions are, by their concentration within the college campus, cooperative and mostly devoid of corporate, wage/money-driven or statist, arms-driven agendas (which aren't inherently evil, just not interesting anymore). Their main agenda is almost always driven by knowledge.
Student unions and provision of services[edit]
As students attend a college or university in order to receive the service of education, student unions (which could potentially run most educational services and institutions) can also provide most services to the public; even normal "products", if easily duplicable through little direct labor, could be provided as services.
Technology plays an extremely hefty role in the development of non-wage/money-supported services by and between students.
Student unions and communications[edit]
Student unions and media[edit]
Student unions and student governments are already heavily influential in the set-up and maintenance of campus media services, including literature and radio.
Student unions and FOSS/FOC[edit]
Student unions, as cooperatives, can also become natural institutions in which free software and free content can be hosted and developed. But how can software, content and other computer uses be developed for usage and deployment by student unions?
The need to redefine students[edit]
The concept of the "student" in an educational institution needs to be changed and expanded to lengths that depend upon a wider and more diverse bevy of technological enablements and far less upon monetary enablements.
Students who E-learning, m-learning and distance learning must also be taken into account, as are those who can't afford to go to school but are interested in gaining the service of education.
Effect on tiers of society[edit]
The influence of students' unions can be felt in the econo-corporate, politico-military and religio-spiritual tiers of society.
