This paper traces the roots of precarity as a concept emerging from French sociological discourse, then permeating through networks informed by Italian autonomism, before re-emerging in the writings of figures such as Guy Standing and Arne Kalleberg. It is shown that, despite the claims of the literature, precarity in employment is not typical in the United Kingdom. Here, temporary employment remains the exception and employment tenure remains stable. This can best be explained by radical political economy. Capital is not interested simply in engendering precarity; it is also concerned with the retention and reproduction of labor power, leading to contradictory imperatives. The resonance of the narrative of precarity, in spite of this, reflects a long retreat from class within radical theory and the insecurities present in working life.

中文翻译：

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不稳定的不稳定概念

本文将不稳定的根源追溯到法国社会学话语中出现的一个概念，然后渗透到意大利自治主义的网络中，然后重新出现在盖伊·斯坦丁和阿恩·卡勒伯格等人物的著作中。结果表明，尽管有文献声称，就业不稳定在英国并不典型。在这里，临时就业仍然是例外，就业期限保持稳定。这可以用激进的政治经济学来最好地解释。资本不仅仅对制造不稳定感兴趣；它还涉及劳动力的保留和再生产，从而导致相互矛盾的必要性。尽管如此，不稳定叙事的共鸣反映了激进理论中阶级的长期退缩以及工作生活中存在的不安全感。