The Precariat: The New Precarious Class and Its Politics

The precariat, a term coined by Guy Standing, describes a new social class characterized by chronic job insecurity and a lack of social security. It emerged as a result of global economic transformations and neoliberal policies that led to labor market flexibility and the commodification of work. Precarious workers experience alienation, anomie, and anxiety, and are deprived of the seven pillars of security, which impacts their social mobility and political attitudes. This article examines the origins, characteristics, mechanisms of precarization, and the internal factions of this group, pointing to its potential impact on the future of societies and politics.