Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
A Texas wag once remarked, “Oilmen are like cats. You can’t tell from the sound of them whether they’re fighting or making love.” German industrial relations are not much different. In the heat of collective bargaining, the Federal Republic’s “social partners” (that is, trade unions and employers’ associations) frequently exchange vitriolic barbs in public, while simultaneously engaging in pragmatic, professional negotiations behind closed doors.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Stephen J. Silvia (1999) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: