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The Precarious Concept of Precarity

Bibliographic Data

ID21549292
AuthorsJoseph Choonara (0000-0001-6679-0832, University of Leicester, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume52
Issue3
Pages427-446
Publication date2020-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReview of Radical Political Economics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0486-6134 • E-ISSN: 1552-8502
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0486613420920427
OpenAlexW3082198640
LanguageEN
Citations received30
References cited49

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

Narrative · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Precarity · Reproduction · Social capital · Social reproduction · Social science · Sociology · Employment and Welfare Studies · Gender Studies · History · Housing, Finance, and Neoliberalism · Law · Political Economy and Marxism

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Unique citing works30
Citations per year6
Citation span2021 - 2026 (6)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 30
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