Precarity

Societally Understood Definition:

State or condition of worry from unknown circumstances typically concerned with economic and career instability.

Judith Butler's Definition:

“Precarity designates that politically induced condition in which certain populations suffer from failing social and economic networks of support and become differentially exposed to injury, violence, and death” (25).

The theory of precarity includes accepting the values of vulnerability and interdependency to overcome the social and political world, which dictates the parameters of access to a good life.

Guy Standing's Definition:

“Today, the mass class is the precariat, characterized by unstable labour, low and unpredictable incomes, and loss of citizenship rights. It is the new ‘dangerous class,’ partly because its insecurities induce the bitterness, ill health, and anger that can be the fodder of right-wing populism.” (115)

Standing describes what he believes to be a precarious person, the “Precariat”. He identifies the personal struggles of being a precariat and the economic anxiety that comes with it. He also identifies the secondary effects that the precariat has on society as a whole and their emergence as the “dangerous class”

Terminology as Defined by Butler:

Precarity: The degradation of employment conditions, shortening of job tenures, drop in real wages, and shrinking of collective protections for the US working class over the past quarter-century (Wacquant 54)*
Modality: A particular mode of existence (211)
Good life: A life made of social conditions that provide livability (121)
Bad Life: “does not provide the conditions for a livable life, because the livability is unequally distributed” (213)
Avow: To proclaim firmly (43)
Disavow: Disapproval or denial of (44)

[Refer to Critical Terminology Page→]

Notes Toward a Performative Theory of Assembly

*Punishing the Poor: The Neoliberal Government of Social Insecurity

Why does Judith Butler's Theory matter?

Judith Butler is an American Philosopher and Gender studies scholar. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1956. Butler attended Bennington College and then transferred to Yale, where she received a Bachelor of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy. She continued her career by writing various books encompassing gender and society, and her abstract form of writing throughout many books was recognized and admired. Her philosophical theories especially gained attraction, and she has become a credible source for her vast knowledge. Dr. Hamilton uses Judith Butler as a credible source because of her perspective on precarity and how her theory accurately synthesizes the aspects of precarity with other relevant topics. Her opinion is undoubtedly biased with her own beliefs, but she explains precarity in a compelling way that can be used to modify a reader's ideas. English 145 students are encouraged to reflect on her theory and incorporate ideas into their writing for real-world essay topics that address the values of precarity.

Why does Guy Standing's Theory matter?

In an interview conducted by Costas Gousis, Guy Standing is described as “an economist, professor and research partner at SOAS University of London, as well as a founding member and honorary co-chair of Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN)” (np). Standing is a well-educated individual invested in the effects Precarity has on the economy. He describes in the interview with Gousis how the Precarious class not only has insecure and unstable labor, leading to frequent economic struggle, but also doesn’t receive any non-wage benefits. They are losing rights-based state benefits due to their economic standing. This can be connected to Judith Butler's beliefs of “unequal distributions of wealth” and would be beneficial to read comparatively as they have somewhat opposing beliefs on the cause of this issue. Standing believes the Precarious class itself is to blame, whereas Butler holds a stronger grudge against the economic system of neoliberalism as a whole. Many of Standing’s beliefs about the precarious class connect to many ideas of capitalism and neoliberalism, key concepts in Dr. Hamilton's class. Standing’s added perspective to these concepts will help students build their understanding of these concepts needed to succeed in Writing Arguments. English 145 students are encouraged to reflect on both authors' work and utilize the writings to incorporate ideas into their own essays and understanding of the topics.

Significance for English 145 Students:

Precarity can be a complex subject, one that is often difficult to understand. However, gaining knowledge and understanding of precarity can help English 145 students further understand its larger context in the world. Precarity is often an effect of large amounts of economic inequality, causing a state of insecurity or anxiety. This can help students connect Precarity to larger course-relevant topics like neoliberalism and capitalism. Similarly, students can use the work and ideas of Butler and Standing to develop a fuller understanding of neoliberalism and how it affects their world. For example, given that Neoliberalism is defined as a political ideology relying on the notion that the market regulates itself [Refer to Neoliberalism Webpage], students can establish connections and understand that precarity is a consequence of Neoliberalism. The connection of these topics will promote a larger understanding of the effects neoliberalism and precarity have on society.

Neoliberalism and Precarity:

Between struggles in contextualizing the themes of essays and difficulty in locating concrete evidence to back up a claim, the presence of precarity is evident among many young writers. Neoliberalism [Refer to Neoliberalism Webpage], a core topic highlighted in English 145, is especially intertwined with precarity. One example is shown within education, as the neoliberal emphasis on deregulation and privatization of services has led many once-public research services to either provide only bits of their insight or restrict sources altogether. Consequently, valuable information has become significantly less accessible to students. Some databases have also commodified their research, requiring a monetary fee be made to acquire a more exclusive source. This correlates with Butler’s idea of the “bad life,” in which social hierarchies, educational gaps, and other inequalities contribute to through failing to provide the conditions necessary for a livable life. While Cal Poly’s library does contain a surplus of information, this educational barrier is still very prevalent to students without the means to pay or gain equal access. By recognizing this consequence, individuals can also connect neoliberalism’s precariousness to global issues. For example, these notions play a part in the increasing prevalence of inequality altogether, contributing to major instability for workers and an exacerbated wealth gap. As explained by Butler in an analysis of precarity, “Precarity designates that politically induced condition in which certain populations suffer from failing social and economic networks of support and become differentially exposed to injury, violence, and death” (25). When including the work of Butler within essays, students can utilize her phrase “certain populations” to refer to people that suffer the consequences of precarity. This includes those with less income, as many people of lower status encounter numerous barriers, such as that within education and other necessities like housing or work.

Similarly, Neoliberalism advocates for a self-regulated market and promotes an increase in competition throughout the job market. The new working class (precariat class) is desperate for very limited job opportunities, increasing willingness for lower wages, shortening job tenure, and adverse working conditions. These conditions are relevant to precarity. If the precariat class is vulnerable to the competitive market while depending on one another, they can experience contrasting effects; Admitting to job insecurity and establishing a commonality between the precariat class, a unified group can be created, and their members can demand an increase of wages, proper working conditions, and extended tenure. With a demand for better conditions, the job market will become forced to respect the precariat class and provide them with fair compensation for work, lessening precarity and increasing the precariat’s quality of life.

Precarity In Contemporary Society:

Understanding Precarity In Contemporary Society:

Precarity has become a defining feature of contemporary society, affecting the way individuals experience labor, housing, and personal identity. The term describes instability and insecurity in multiple aspects of life, and is often connected with neoliberal economic policies that prioritize market efficiency over society’s well being. In the labor market, the rise of freelance work and short-term contracts has created a workforce that lacks stability, benefits, and bargaining power. Similarly, in housing, rapidly increasing rents and corporate ownership of real estate have made finding secure living arrangements increasingly difficult. Beyond material conditions, social precarity impacts the identity of people, as shifting cultural and political landscapes create uncertainty about personal and society’s futures. For Cal Poly students enrolled in ENGL 145, understanding precarity is crucial for analyzing contemporary issues in professional writing and critical thinking. Whether discussing new technology’s impact on the job market, rising housing costs, or shifting cultural identities, understanding precarity provides insight into how structural forces influence everyday life.

Labor Precarity and Automation at Cal Poly:

One of the clearest examples of precarity is in labor, where workers face increasing instability due to technology replacing traditional jobs. An everyday example that affects us Cal Poly students is the Grubhub delivery robots at Campus Market which replaced the jobs of student delivery workers. Previously, students were delivered items through companies like Quickie. However, now that these automated machines, designed to transport food across campus in an efficient manner exist, companies like Quickie have gone out of business, eliminating opportunities for students who may have relied on these jobs for income and flexible scheduling. This shift reflects a new trend in which many companies will prioritize automation in order to cut costs instead of human labor, reducing job availability and financial stability for workers. As a result, Cal Poly students have lost a convenient source of income, highlighting how technological advancements can instead contribute to economic insecurity, rather than creating new opportunities. By analyzing these shifts, ENGL 145 students can better understand how technology contributes to labor precarity, fostering critical discussions on whether automation is an unavoidable advancement or a policy-driven choice that could be regulated to protect workers.

Housing Precarity and Rising Costs:

Housing precarity is another issue that reflects broader economic inequalities, as real estate speculation and increasing costs push affordable housing further out of reach for many. Many students struggle to find affordable housing near campus, with limited on-campus housing options and increasing rental prices in places like San Luis Obispo. The privatization of student housing developments further exacerbates this issue, as corporate landlords and real estate firms often prioritize profit over affordability. The consequences of this problem extend beyond just economics, also affecting mental health, societal harmony, and political engagement. By understanding challenges related to housing, ENGL 145 students can critically analyze how economic policies and corporate interests shape access to essential resources, allowing for a stronger understanding of the systemic factors that contribute to precarity.

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