Nice Work If You Can Get It : Life and Labor in Precarious Times

Andrew Ross

ISBN 10: 0814776914 / ISBN 13: 9780814776919

Published by New York University Press Okt 2010, 2010

About this Item

Neuware - 2009 Choice Outstanding Academic TitleA survey into an emerging pattern of labor instability and uneven global developmentIs job insecurity the new norm With fewer and fewer people working in steady, long-term positions for one employer, has the dream of a secure job with full benefits and a decent salary become just that-a dream In Nice Work If You Can Get It, Andrew Ross surveys the new topography of the global workplace and finds an emerging pattern of labor instability and uneven development on a massive scale. Combining detailed case studies with lucid analysis and graphic prose, he looks at what the new landscape of contingent employment means for workers across national, class, and racial lines-from the emerging 'creative class' of high-wage professionals to the multitudes of temporary, migrant, or low-wage workers. Developing the idea of 'precarious livelihoods' to describe this new world of work and life, Ross explores what it means in developed nations-comparing the creative industry policies of the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union, as well as developing countries-by examining the quickfire transformation of China's labor market. He also responds to the challenge of sustainability, assessing the promise of 'green jobs' through restorative alliances between labor advocates and environmentalists.Ross argues that regardless of one's views on labor rights, globalization, and quality of life, this new precarious and 'indefinite life,&' and the pitfalls and opportunities that accompany it is likely here to stay and must be addressed in a systematic way. A more equitable kind of knowledge society emerges in these pages-less skewed toward flexploitation and the speculative beneficiaries of intellectual property, and more in tune with ideals and practices that are fair, just, and renewable.

Seller Inventory # 9780814776919

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Nice Work If You Can Get It : Life and Labor in Precarious Times
• Publisher: New York University Press Okt 2010
• Publication Date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0814776914
• ISBN 13: 9780814776919
• Binding: Taschenbuch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 221W x 146H x 19D millimeters 221 millimeters width by 146 millimeters height by 19 millimeters depth
• Weight: 365 grams

About this title

Synopsis

2009 Choice Outstanding Academic Title

A survey into an emerging pattern of labor instability and uneven global development

Is job insecurity the new norm? With fewer and fewer people working in steady, long-term positions for one employer, has the dream of a secure job with full benefits and a decent salary become just that―a dream?

In Nice Work If You Can Get It, Andrew Ross surveys the new topography of the global workplace and finds an emerging pattern of labor instability and uneven development on a massive scale. Combining detailed case studies with lucid analysis and graphic prose, he looks at what the new landscape of contingent employment means for workers across national, class, and racial lines―from the emerging “creative class” of high-wage professionals to the multitudes of temporary, migrant, or low-wage workers. Developing the idea of “precarious livelihoods” to describe this new world of work and life, Ross explores what it means in developed nations―comparing the creative industry policies of the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union, as well as developing countries―by examining the quickfire transformation of China’s labor market. He also responds to the challenge of sustainability, assessing the promise of “green jobs” through restorative alliances between labor advocates and environmentalists.

Ross argues that regardless of one’s views on labor rights, globalization, and quality of life, this new precarious and “indefinite life,&” and the pitfalls and opportunities that accompany it is likely here to stay and must be addressed in a systematic way. A more equitable kind of knowledge society emerges in these pages―less skewed toward flexploitation and the speculative beneficiaries of intellectual property, and more in tune with ideals and practices that are fair, just, and renewable.

About the Author

Andrew Ross is Professor of American Studies in the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis at New York University. He is the author and editor of numerous books, including No-Collar, Fast Boat to China, No Respect, Strange Weather, and, from NYU Press, Anti-Americanism and Real Love.