Political activism and solidarity are essential themes within the literature of precarity, focusing on how individuals and groups mobilize to resist and challenge the conditions of instability, vulnerability, and marginalization. These themes explore the collective actions and social movements that arise in response to precarious conditions, emphasizing the importance of solidarity in fostering resilience and advocating for social and economic justice.
Key Aspects of Political Activism and Solidarity
1. Collective Mobilization and Social Movements
Political activism often involves collective mobilization, where individuals and groups come together to advocate for their rights and challenge oppressive systems. Social movements play a crucial role in addressing precarity by organizing protests, strikes, and other forms of collective action.
Wanda Vrasti, in her chapter in Precarity and International Relations, argues for new bonds of solidarity not based solely on labor but on broader social and political contexts. She discusses the potential of post-work politics to create more inclusive and sustainable forms of activism and community (Vrasti, 2021).
2. Intersectional Solidarity
Solidarity among marginalized groups is often intersectional, recognizing the interconnectedness of various forms of oppression, such as race, gender, class, and citizenship status. Intersectional solidarity acknowledges the diverse experiences of precarity and aims to build inclusive movements that address multiple layers of discrimination.
Nick Bernards, in his chapter in Precarity and International Relations, explores how irregular labor and precarious workers have been central to articulations of sovereignty and citizenship. He highlights the importance of understanding the intersection of class, race, gender, and colonialism in shaping international solidarity movements (Bernards, 2021).
3. Grassroots Organizing and Community Building
Grassroots organizing involves local communities coming together to address their specific needs and challenges. This form of activism emphasizes the importance of community building and mutual support in resisting precarity.
In Politics of Precarity: Migrant Conditions, Struggles, and Experiences, Ulrik Schierup and Martin Bak Jørgensen discuss how migrant communities organize at the grassroots level to fight for their rights and improve their living and working conditions. They highlight examples of community-led initiatives that have successfully challenged exploitative practices and secured better protections for migrants (Schierup & Jørgensen, 2016).
4. Transnational Solidarity
Transnational solidarity involves building connections and alliances across national borders to address global issues of precarity. This form of activism recognizes that many of the challenges faced by precarious workers and marginalized groups are global in nature and require coordinated international responses.
Guy Standing’s concept of the “precariat” emphasizes the need for transnational solidarity among precarious workers worldwide. In The Precariat: The New Dangerous Class, he discusses how global movements can unite different segments of the precariat to advocate for systemic change and social protection (Standing, 2011).
5. Cultural and Symbolic Forms of Resistance
Cultural and symbolic forms of resistance, such as art, music, and literature, play a significant role in political activism. These forms of expression can raise awareness, inspire action, and build solidarity by connecting people through shared cultural experiences.
Judith Butler and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, in Who Sings the Nation-State?, explore how cultural practices, such as storytelling and performance, can serve as forms of resistance and create a sense of belonging and solidarity among marginalized groups (Butler & Spivak, 2007).
Case Studies and Examples
Occupy Movement and Precarious Workers
The Occupy Movement (the movement gained widespread attention with the Occupy Wall Street protest in Zuccotti Park, Lower Manhattan, the United States, which began on September 17, 2011) is a notable example of political activism that brought together precarious workers and other marginalized groups to protest economic inequality and the influence of corporate power in politics. The movement’s use of assemblies and direct action highlighted the power of grassroots organizing and intersectional solidarity.
Migrant Workers’ Struggles
Schierup and Jørgensen’s Politics of Precarity provides case studies of migrant workers organizing to challenge exploitative labor practices. For example, migrant domestic workers have formed unions and advocacy groups to fight for fair wages and better working conditions (Schierup & Jørgensen, 2016).
Artistic and Literary Responses
Cultural works, such as those discussed by Butler and Spivak, illustrate how artistic expressions can serve as powerful tools for resistance. These works can mobilize public opinion, raise awareness about precarious conditions, and foster solidarity among diverse groups (Butler & Spivak, 2007).
Conclusion
Political activism and solidarity are crucial for addressing the conditions of precarity and advocating for social and economic justice. By examining the diverse forms of collective action, intersectional solidarity, grassroots organizing, transnational movements, and cultural resistance, this body of work underscores the importance of solidarity in fostering resilience and achieving systemic change. It highlights the need for inclusive and intersectional approaches to political activism that recognize and address the multifaceted nature of precarity.
References
- Vrasti, Wanda. “Struggling with Precarity: From ‘More Jobs’ to Post-work Politics.” Precarity and International Relations, edited by Ritu Vij, Tahseen Kazi, and Elisa Wynne-Hughes, Palgrave Macmillan, 2021.
- Bernards, Nick. “Irregular Labour and the ‘Life of the State’: Precarity, Citizenship, and Sovereignty in Decolonizing Africa.” Precarity and International Relations, edited by Ritu Vij, Tahseen Kazi, and Elisa Wynne-Hughes, Palgrave Macmillan, 2021.
- Schierup, Ulrik, and Martin Bak Jørgensen, editors. Politics of Precarity: Migrant Conditions, Struggles, and Experiences. BRILL, 2016.
- Standing, Guy. The Precariat: The New Dangerous Class. Bloomsbury Academic, 2011.
- Butler, Judith, and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak. Who Sings the Nation-State? Language, Politics, Belonging. Seagull Books, 2007.
Literary Latitude 