Precariat: A New Class or a Dangerous Notion for the Class Struggle?

Abstract The principal aim of the current article is to discuss the relevance of the notion of precariat in the class structure proposed by Guy Standing. The article expects to fulfil its potential contribution to the existing literature through investigating problematic issues in the conceptualization of the precariat particularly referring to its designating role in the class struggle seen from the traditional Marxist standpoint. The study argues that contrary to the suggestions of Standing, it is highly discussable and at the same time misleading to identify precariat as a “new” class. Furthermore, such an identification attempt has the capability to create obstacles in the class struggle between capital holders and labour if this struggle foresees the radical change of the contemporary capitalist system not to deal solely with the undesirable outcomes of the increased neoliberal capitalism on the large working classes per se. Keywords: Precariat; proletariat; class and class struggle; Marxism; Guy Standing. Jel Codes: B14, E24, J08, P16