The author provides a detailed and committed analysis of the genesis, characteristics and conditions that define the precariat as a product of free trade and globalization. The number and variety of the social figures involved – including the millions of frustrated, educated young people who do not like what their future holds – have in common insecurity, fragmented lives, professional alienation, oppressive labour and unremunerated activities. This condition can be assimilated to that of the denizen, an individual without full citizenship and with few recognized rights. The forms of inequality that afflict the precariat are structural and have nothing to do with merit or idleness. But they can lead to forms of estrangement from politics, and even populist and neofascist tendencies, which is another reason why a responsible policy should tackle the needs and aspirations of those filling their ranks. only subscribers can see the full article

This study analyses the factors associated with the persistence of poverty among youngsters in eleven European countries. Apart from the conditions that normally explain poverty and its persistence (low educational levels, living without a partner, leaving one’s original family, and joblessness), it shows the importance of the welfare system in attenuating the main risk factors to which young people are exposed in the process of transition to the adult state. It also shows how leaving one’s original family is one of the main risk factors for young people, while women have a greater probability of experiencing persistent poverty as a result of context variables and, in particular, inequality of opportunity. only subscribers can see the full article

The main critical factor in the contributory system is its inability to guarantee adequate pensions to those, like many young people today, who may have working careers that are long, but weak in terms of retribution, risk of unemployment and contribution levels. In the light of this, the article reflects on the ideal policies for tackling these critical factors, evaluating – on the basis of considerations of efficiency and fairness – some of the measures proposed in the recent debate and giving particular attention to the possibility of introducing a guaranteed pension calculated on length of service and age on retirement.only subscribers can see the full article