This essay gives a review of Arne L. Kallebergs journal article "Precarious Work, Insecure Workers: Employment Relations in Transition" published in 2009.
Kalleberg investigates the precarity and insecurity of work and moreover deep dives into the growth of precarious work in the United States and its reasons, consequences of precarious work, challenges for sociology related to precarious work as well as the relations between precarity, insecurity and public policy.
The growth of precarious work is a core contemporary, globally present concern with a wide range of consequences reaching across many areas of sociology. Throughout the past years, the alignment of social, economic and political have contributed to an increase in precarious work.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to the growth of precarious work
2. Context of precarity in the United States
3. Evidences of the growth of precarious work
4. Consequences of precarious work
5. Challenges for the sociology of work
6. Precarity, insecurity and public policy
Objectives and Topics
This essay provides a comprehensive review and critical analysis of Arne L. Kalleberg’s 2009 article, which explores the structural shifts in the labor market that have fostered widespread precarious employment. The core objective is to synthesize Kalleberg's findings regarding the historical trajectory, manifestations, and societal consequences of work insecurity, while evaluating their continued relevance in the era of digitalization and global crises.
- Historical transition of employment relations from the 1940s to the present.
- Empirical indicators of rising precarious work, including nonstandard arrangements and job insecurity.
- Socio-economic consequences for employees, families, and broader social cohesion.
- Sociological perspectives on institutional changes and the erosion of the "social contract."
- The role of public policy in mitigating employment risks and fostering stable working environments.
Excerpt from the Book
The growth of precarious work in the United States
In the first section of the article, Kalleberg describes the reasons for the growth of precarious work in the United States. He states that the era of precarious work initiated in the 1970s by the process of neoliberal globalization. Throughout the paragraph, Kalleberg further describes the consequences that came with neoliberal globalization and explains the reasons and effects of union decline within the United States. Moreover, the reader gets a good impression on how the balance of power shifted away from employees towards employers and how service industries expanded more and more, creating an information-based economy organized around flexible production, leading to a general change in the employment relationship. Additionally, Kalleberg examines the increase of diversity in the labour force leading to growing gaps in earnings and other indicators of labour market success.
Kalleberg has mentioned several topics that are nowadays even more affecting the labour markets. Globalization and the increase in competition are reinforcing the problems addressed by Kalleberg. Acceleration of innovation and technology advance as well as the expansion of service industries is now (11 years later since the article has been published) more present than ever. Due to digitalization the working hours and places have to be much more flexible. The demands of the employee in terms of flexibility and qualification are rising, while the work is getting more insecure.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction to the growth of precarious work: This chapter defines precarious work as uncertain and unpredictable employment and outlines the scope of Kalleberg's investigation into the United States labor market.
2. Context of precarity in the United States: This section traces the shift from the "Great Compression" era to the neoliberal era of the 1970s, highlighting the transition from regulated markets to flexible, globalized production.
3. Evidences of the growth of precarious work: This chapter presents five key indicators of rising precarity, including declining employer-employee attachment and the rise of nonstandard, contingent work arrangements.
4. Consequences of precarious work: This section discusses the impact of instability on economic inequality, middle-class security, and the psychological health of individuals and families.
5. Challenges for the sociology of work: This chapter critiques traditional sociological tools and calls for a reorientation of research to better address current employment realities and the role of employment contracts.
6. Precarity, insecurity and public policy: The final section argues for a proactive government role in creating social protections and "high road" labor policies to counter the negative effects of global market competition.
Keywords
Precarious work, employment relations, neoliberal globalization, job insecurity, social contract, labor market, nonstandard work, contingent labor, economic inequality, flexicurity, industrial society, sociology of work, digitalization, public policy, union decline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
The work focuses on the evolution of precarious employment in the United States, analyzing how structural and political changes since the 1970s have led to an increase in uncertain and insecure working conditions.
Which central themes are explored throughout the essay?
Key themes include the decline of long-term employer-employee attachments, the expansion of the service sector, the impact of neoliberal policies, and the resulting economic instability for workers.
What is the central research question addressed by the author?
The author seeks to understand the factors driving the growth of precarious work and to evaluate how these structural changes affect workers' lives, social cohesion, and the broader economy.
Which methodology is employed in the original article?
Kalleberg utilizes a sociological lens to synthesize historical data, labor market statistics, and institutional analysis to map the trajectory of employment relations.
What is covered in the main body of the analysis?
The main body examines historical periods of labor stability versus flexibility, identifies specific empirical evidence for rising precarity, and discusses the resulting societal impacts and policy failures.
How would you describe the key terminology used?
The work is defined by concepts such as "precarious work," referring to risky employment, and the "precariat," a term describing a growing class of workers lacking stable employment foundations.
How did neoliberal globalization specifically contribute to job insecurity?
The analysis argues that neoliberal globalization allowed capital to seek low-wage labor globally, which weakened the bargaining power of domestic unions and forced local industries to prioritize flexible, short-term production models.
Does the article offer a solution to the problem of precarious work?
Yes, the author suggests that governments should act as public instruments to implement social protections, such as portable pensions and investment in employee training, to provide stability in a flexible market.
How does the current era of digitalization affect the findings of the 2009 article?
The essay notes that digitalization has intensified the issues identified by Kalleberg, particularly regarding the demand for constant flexibility and the blurring of traditional workplace boundaries, making the 2009 findings even more relevant today.
- Citar trabajo
- Anonym (Autor), 2020, Precarious work in the USA. A review of "Precarious Work, Insecure Workers: Employment Relations in Transition" by Arne L. Kalleberg, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/992195
