A Precariat Charter: From Denizens to Citizens - Softcover

Guy Standing

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1472510399 ISBN 13: 9781472510396

Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic, 2014

Synopsis

Guy Standing's immensely influential 2011 book introduced the Precariat as an emerging mass class, characterized by inequality and insecurity. Standing outlined the increasingly global nature of the Precariat as a social phenomenon, especially in the light of the social unrest characterized by the Occupy movements. He outlined the political risks they might pose, and at what might be done to diminish inequality and allow such workers to find a more stable labour identity.His concept and his conclusions have been widely taken up by thinkers from Noam Chomsky to Zygmunt Bauman, by political activists and by policy-makers.

This new book takes the debate a stage further-looking in more detail at the kind of progressive politics that might form the vision of a Good Society in which such inequality, and the instability it produces is reduced.

A Precariat Charter discusses how rights - political, civil, social and economic - have been denied to the Precariat, and at the importance of redefining our social contract around notions of associational freedom, agency and the commons. The ecological imperative is also discussed - something that was only hinted at in Standing's original book but has been widely discussed in relation to the Precariat by theorists and activists alike.

About this title

Review:

Standing follows his influential analysis of the precariat as the 'new dangerous class with a comprehensive list of demands and suggestions for how this class can 'abolish itself through a struggle for rights, eroded by neo-liberal austerity that has caused widespread existential insecurity. Standing s insightful and encouraging book will be welcomed not only by members of the precariat but equally by non-precarians on the left seeking inspiration for a new progressive programme. --Claus Offe, Emeritus Professor of Political Science, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, Germany

In his call for 'social empathy' in politics, Standing offers an important corrective to decades of neoliberalism, while his demand for rethinking of the nature of work rightly seeks to undo centuries of damaging thought on the issue. The Charter offers a series of positive steps towards reshaping society to provide a better life for the vulnerable majority in our societies. --Natalie Bennett, Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales

This is without doubt one of the most important and powerful books I have read in a long time. Building on his influential thesis about the precariat Professor Standing provides not only a graphic account of the increasing insecurity and poverty facing many people in the contemporary age, but he also points to clear and workable solutions to many entrenched problems. The book brings into sharp relief the declining fortunes of the ordinary citizen and the role of governments in defining ever harsher life and working conditions for many. Whilst there is much in the book which is depressing this is ultimately an inspiring work which is full of promise. I have little doubt that it will become a classic of the future but its real potential lies in its clear and convincing mandate for political change. Quite simply, a tour de force. --Tracy Shildrick, Professor of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds, UK.

About the Author:

Guy Standing is Professor of Development Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, UK. He has previously been Professor of Economic Security at the University of Bath, UK, Professor of Labour Economics at Monash University, Australia and Director of the Socio-Economic Security Programme of the International Labour Organization. He is co-president of the Basic Income Earth Network. His recent books include Work after Globalization: Building Occupational Citizenship (2009) and Beyond the New Paternalism: Basic Security as Equality (2002).

About this edition

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1472510399
• ISBN 13: 9781472510396
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 440