Is What Guy Standing Calls The Precariat

Research Topic #2:

Is what Guy Standing calls the ‘precariat’ a new phenomenon or is it something that has existed before? Can we describe precarious workers as a new class or are they a status within a broader class?

Synopsis:

I argue that what Guy Standing calls the ‘precariat’ is a new phenomenon, unlike any other class that has existed before. Precarious workers are a new class in our capitalist neoliberal society, due to workers dependence on precarious work, which forces people into: part-time, temporary, contract, zero job security employment positions. This differs and refutes Palmer’s argument of the precariat being a branch of the proletariat class as the precarious class do not have the employment stability, job security and flexibility,

With establishing this new class, comes the danger and power associated with this precarious class. Due to the sheer volume and desperation of the class, it shows how society is failing these workers. With this, the precariat have the power to act against exclusion by transforming society due to their lack of stable identity. I argue with Marx and Standing as the precariat class lacks a common identity between its members; and that this missing identity and solidarity between the workers is what is reinforcing the exploitation present this class. If this class shifts from a class in itself; meaning the members within a class all have commonalities yet seize to recognize that these commonalities are what joins them all together; and shift to a class for itself; meaning workers realize the similarities present among the class or having class conscienceness, the precariat class will have the power and solidarity to be able to rise up collectively to fight for their similar interests and against the exploitation and precious work plaguing todays workforce and society. Overall I argue in order for the way work is distributed and engaged in today to be changed, the precariat class need to organize in productive ways to be able to transform society and

Due to this, the precariat class is an ever emerging dangerous class, unlike any before; who by switching from a class in itself, to a class for itself could ultimately avail their power in order to abolish the exploitation and precarious work presently forced upon them.