Standing (2011) The Precariat | A Level Sociology | Stratification & Differentiation

This video explores the work of Guy Standing from 2011, and the idea of a new social class: the precariat.

In his 2011 book The Precariat: The New Dangerous Class, British economist Guy Standing introduces the concept of the precariat, a new social class emerging from globalization and labor market changes. The term combines "precarious" and "proletariat," reflecting the group's unstable employment and lack of job security. ​Working-Class Perspectives+6Музей современного искусства «Гараж»+6Wikipedia, l'enciclopedia libera+6

Standing identifies three defining characteristics of the precariat:​

1. Insecure employment: Jobs are temporary, part-time, or freelance, often lacking benefits like pensions or healthcare.​Basic Income Research Group+1The Guardian+1
2. Lack of occupational identity: Frequent job changes prevent individuals from developing a stable professional identity.​
3. Limited social protections: Reduced access to unemployment benefits and other social safety nets.​

This class includes diverse groups such as migrants, young educated individuals unable to secure stable jobs, and former industrial workers. Standing warns that the precariat's marginalization and frustration could lead to social unrest. He advocates for policy reforms, including the implementation of a universal basic income, to address these challenges and promote economic security. ​