Erkännandets ambivalens och arbetets prekarisering – Om möjligheten till erkännande i det prekariserade arbetet

Sammanfattning: The thesis examines the relationship between recognition and precarisation of work. The thesis is conducted through the fusion of the methodology of idéanalys and analytical political theory. Firstly, the concept of precarity and precarisation of work is presented and analysed. The thesis contributes with a multidimensional framework which is used to analyse implicit/subjective and explicit/objective precarisation and precarity. Secondly, three theories of recognition, as articulated by Axel Honneth, Stephan Voswinkel and Christophe Dejours, are presented and analysed. Lastly, the relationship between precarisation of work and recognition is analysed in a critical way. The thesis argues that the ambivalence, understood as the tendency inherent in recognition to be both liberating and oppressive, is constitutive of the relationship between work and recognition. It further argues that precarisation of work makes this ambivalence vivid. The thesis concludes that the ambivalence inherent in recognition is a powerful driving force behind capitalism. The thesis claims that the precarisation of work poses a challenge to recognition theory, specifically to Honneths theory of recognition since the theory, due to its movement over time, ignores lived experiences. To preserve the critical and radical potential of the theory, the thesis outlines necessary directions forward.