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The Precarious Concept of Precarity

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  • Joseph Choonara

Abstract

This paper traces the roots of precarity as a concept emerging from French sociological discourse, then permeating through networks informed by Italian autonomism, before re-emerging in the writings of figures such as Guy Standing and Arne Kalleberg. It is shown that, despite the claims of the literature, precarity in employment is not typical in the United Kingdom. Here, temporary employment remains the exception and employment tenure remains stable. This can best be explained by radical political economy. Capital is not interested simply in engendering precarity; it is also concerned with the retention and reproduction of labor power, leading to contradictory imperatives. The resonance of the narrative of precarity, in spite of this, reflects a long retreat from class within radical theory and the insecurities present in working life.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph Choonara, 2020. "The Precarious Concept of Precarity," Review of Radical Political Economics, Union for Radical Political Economics, vol. 52(3), pages 427-446, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:reorpe:v:52:y:2020:i:3:p:427-446
    DOI: 10.1177/0486613420920427
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Vera Trappmann & Charles Umney & Christopher J McLachlan & Alexandra Seehaus & Laura Cartwright, 2024. "How Do Young Workers Perceive Job Insecurity? Legitimising Frames for Precarious Work in England and Germany," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 38(4), pages 998-1020, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    precarity; insecurity; Marxism; labor markets; atypical employment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B51 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Socialist; Marxian; Sraffian
    • E2 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment
    • J2 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor

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