Guy Standing, English economist and academic

Guy Standing, born on 9 February 1948, is a distinguished British labour economist renowned for his profound insights into contemporary labour markets and social policy. His influential work has significantly shaped global discussions on emerging socio-economic challenges, particularly those arising from shifts in employment structures and the impact of globalisation.

As a Professor of Development Studies at the prestigious School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, Standing has dedicated his academic career to understanding and advocating for fairer economic systems. His commitment to social justice is further exemplified by his role as a co-founder of the Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN), a global network of academics and activists dedicated to promoting the concept of an unconditional basic income as a fundamental human right and a viable policy solution for economic insecurity.

Key Contributions to Labour Economics and Social Policy

Throughout his extensive career, Guy Standing has authored numerous publications across a broad spectrum of critical areas within labour economics. His research and writings delve into complex topics such as labour market dynamics, the efficacy and impact of labour market policies, the multifaceted causes and consequences of unemployment, and the evolving nature of labour market flexibility. He has also critically examined structural adjustment policies implemented by international financial institutions and their effects on national labour markets and has championed robust social protection mechanisms to safeguard vulnerable populations.

Introducing the Precariat: A New Social Class

Perhaps Guy Standing's most significant and widely recognised contribution is the coinage and comprehensive articulation of the term "precariat." This portmanteau, combining "precarious" and "proletariat," describes a burgeoning global social class of workers facing endemic insecurity. Unlike the traditional proletariat, the precariat is characterised not just by low wages and poor job security but also by a lack of occupational identity, a limited sense of control over their time, and diminished social and labour rights. This vulnerability is largely a consequence of intensified globalisation, which has led to increased competition, deregulation of labour markets, and the casualisation of work, often manifesting in the gig economy and temporary contracts. Standing argues that the precariat lives in a state of chronic uncertainty, relying on fragmented social benefits and often lacking the stable foundations for personal and social development, making them a potentially "dangerous class" due to their growing frustration and alienation.

Post-2011 Focus: Solutions for the Precariat

The publication of his seminal 2011 book, The Precariat: The New Dangerous Class, marked a pivotal moment in Standing's work, drawing global attention to this emerging social stratum. Since then, his research and advocacy have primarily centred on understanding and addressing the precariat's plight through several interconnected policy solutions and philosophical frameworks:

• The Precariat: Continual analysis of this class, its evolving characteristics, and its societal implications, including its role in political shifts and social unrest across various countries.
• Unconditional Basic Income (UBI): Standing is a leading proponent of UBI as a transformative solution. He advocates for a regular, non-withdrawable income paid to all individual citizens, irrespective of their employment status or wealth. UBI is proposed not merely as a poverty alleviation measure but as a means to provide economic security, empower individuals, reduce stress, facilitate education and retraining, and potentially rebalance power relations in the labour market, offering a pathway out of precarity by ensuring a basic living standard.
• Deliberative Democracy: Recognising that economic insecurity often disenfranchises individuals, Standing champions deliberative democracy. This concept emphasizes inclusive public discourse and collective decision-making, aiming to give the precariat a stronger voice and more meaningful participation in governance, thereby fostering a sense of agency and belonging.
• The Commons: Standing extensively explores the concept of the commons—resources and assets collectively owned and managed by communities, rather than privatised or state-controlled. He argues for the revival and expansion of common goods (e.g., natural resources, knowledge, public spaces) as a means of building shared prosperity and reducing dependence on precarious wage labour, seeing it as a vital component of a post-precariat future.

Frequently Asked Questions About Guy Standing and His Work

Who is Guy Standing?

Guy Standing is a prominent British labour economist, academic, and co-founder of the Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN). He is best known for coining the term "precariat" and advocating for an unconditional basic income (UBI).

What is the "precariat" according to Guy Standing?

The "precariat" is a social class identified by Standing as a growing segment of the population experiencing pervasive insecurity. This includes low wages, unstable employment, lack of benefits, and a diminished sense of occupational identity and rights, largely due to globalised labour markets.

What is Unconditional Basic Income (UBI)?

Unconditional Basic Income (UBI) is a concept championed by Standing that involves a regular, non-withdrawable cash payment delivered to all individuals in a society, without means-testing or work requirements. It aims to provide economic security and a foundation for all citizens.

What is the significance of Guy Standing's book, The Precariat: The New Dangerous Class?

Published in 2011, this book brought the concept of the precariat to a wider global audience. It detailed the characteristics, causes, and potential societal dangers of this emerging class, prompting significant academic and policy discussions worldwide about the future of work and social welfare.

How does globalisation relate to the precariat?

Standing argues that globalisation, particularly in its neoliberal form, has contributed significantly to the rise of the precariat. This is due to increased global competition, the ease of capital movement, and the deregulation of labour markets, which collectively lead to downward pressure on wages, erosion of worker protections, and the proliferation of precarious work arrangements.