From 1850 until 1924, Samuel Gompers was a well-known American labor leader. He played a significant part in forming labor laws and workers' rights in the US by founding the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and serving as its president for many years.

According to Gompers, preserving freedom and democracy in society required the ability to strike. According to his assertion, nations that do not allow workers to go on strike are probably those that do not provide their citizens with fundamental liberties and protections. Essentially, he makes the case that a lack of labor unrest frequently indicates a repressive rather than a peaceful environment.

As an analogy, picture a garden free of pests and weeds. Such a garden may appear ideal on the surface, but it may actually be a sign that no care is being taken to protect or care for the plants. Similarly, nations where the government tightly regulates every aspect of life, leaving little opportunity for dissent or improvement, may be those where workers do not face conflicts over their rights and working conditions.

Gompers emphasizes the significance of a balanced approach to governance—one that upholds individual rights while simultaneously aiming for social stability—by stressing the connection between labor freedom and more general personal liberties.