The precariat and class struggle

Standing, Guy

Abstract

The world economy is in the midst of a Global Transformation that is producing a new global class structure. A new class is emerging – the precariat – characterised by chronic uncertainty and insecurity. Although the precariat is still a class-in-the-making, divided within itself, its elements are united in rejecting old mainstream political traditions. To become a transformative class, however, the precariat needs to move beyond the primitive rebel stage manifested in 2011 and become enough of a class-for-itself to be a power for change. This will involve a struggle for redistribution of the key assets needed for a good life in a good society in the twenty-first century – not the “means of production”, but socio-economic security, control of time, quality space, knowledge (or education), financial knowledge and financial capital.

Citation

Standing, G. (2015). The precariat and class struggle. RCCS annual review, 7, 3-16. https://doi.org/10.4000/rccsar.585

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 1, 2015
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Sep 18, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 2, 2115
• Journal: RCCS Annual Review
• Electronic ISSN: 1647-3175
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 7
• Pages: 3-16
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/rccsar.585
• Keywords: precariat, class, globalization, globalisation, inequality, labour market, labor market
• Publisher URL: https://rccsar.revues.org/585
• Related Public URLs: http://www.guystanding.com