French syndicat `trade union'. political
movement that rejected parliamentary activity
in favour of direct action, culminating in a
revolutionary general strike to secure worker
ownership and control of industry. The idea
originated under Robert Owen's influence in
the 1830s, acquired its name and its more
violent aspects in France from the
philosopher Sorel, and also reached the USA
(see Industrial Workers of the World). After
1918 syndicalism was absorbed in communism,
although it continued to have an independent
existence in Spain until the late 1930s.