Good Jobs, Bad Jobs: The Rise of Polarized and Precarious Employment Systems in the United States, 1970s-2000s

by Arne L. Kalleberg

The economic boom of the 1990s veiled a grim in addition to the growing gap between rich and poor, the gap between good and bad quality jobs was also expanding. The postwar prosperity of the mid-twentieth century had enabled millions of American workers to join the middle class, but as author Arne L. Kalleberg shows, by the 1970s this upward movement had slowed, in part due to the steady disappearance of secure, well-paying industrial jobs. Ever since, precarious employment has been on the rise―paying low wages, offering few benefits, and with virtually no long-term security. Today, the polarization between workers with higher skill levels and those with low skills and low wages is more entrenched than ever. Good Jobs, Bad Jobs traces this trend to large-scale transformations in the American labor market and the changing demographics of low-wage workers. Kalleberg draws on nearly four decades of survey data, as well as his own research, to evaluate trends in U.S. job quality and suggest ways to improve American labor market practices and social policies. Good Jobs, Bad Jobs provides an insightful analysis of how and why precarious employment is gaining ground in the labor market and the role these developments have played in the decline of the middle class. Kalleberg shows that by the 1970s, government deregulation, global competition, and the rise of the service sector gained traction, while institutional protections for workers―such as unions and minimum-wage legislation―weakened. Together, these forces marked the end of postwar security for American workers. The composition of the labor force also changed significantly; the number of dual-earner families increased, as did the share of the workforce comprised of women, non-white, and immigrant workers. Of these groups, blacks, Latinos, and immigrants remain concentrated in the most precarious and low-quality jobs, with educational attainment being the leading indicator of who will earn the highest wages and experience the most job security and highest levels of autonomy and control over their jobs and schedules. Kalleberg demonstrates, however, that building a better safety net―increasing government responsibility for worker health care and retirement, as well as strengthening unions―can go a long way toward redressing the effects of today’s volatile labor market. There is every reason to expect that the growth of precarious jobs―which already make up a significant share of the American job market―will continue. Good Jobs, Bad Jobs deftly shows that the decline in U.S. job quality is not the result of fluctuations in the business cycle, but rather the result of economic restructuring and the disappearance of institutional protections for workers. Only government, employers and labor working together on long-term strategies―including an expanded safety net, strengthened legal protections, and better training opportunities―can help reverse this trend. A Volume in the American Sociological Association’s Rose Series in Sociology.

Genres: Economics, History, Nonfiction, Poverty, Sociology

312 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2011

Reviews

[Ari Stillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

While a dry read, this book offers a comprehensive accounting of exactly what it says it's about. Most helpfully, while good and bad jobs appear subjective, what constitutes good and bad both changes over time and is very situational. For example, in a poor economy, having any job at all tends to promote a positive view, while in a good economy workers can afford to be more discriminating and idealistic in appraising their job as a source of meaning beyond compensation. Lifestyle changes also effect this appraisal, as having kids at home promotes a greater desire for flexibility whereas. Kalleberg likewise makes a compelling case not just for the need of a New Social Contract between employers, employees, and society, but what that might look like in appeasement of both owners of production and workers. Key in doing so is divorcing healthcare from employment and socializing that risk to the state, which in theory will allow companies to pay their workers more and allow workers to pursue other opportunities without fear of losing coverage. Welfare, not workfare, is the more humanistic approach to take but is not without its ideological challenges in a neoliberal, hyper-individualistic society that idolizes work and the economy. Even so, Kalleberg makes the case that doing so would yield dividends for all parties involved. We just need to decide if we want to take the high road or continue dragging our feet along the low one.

[Lixin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generally speaking, it is very informational. Although it can be redundant from time to time. Also, writing seems to be a little sexism where he said, “ there are also tremendous opportunities to create good jobs for women by investing in the infrastructure of human capital through augmenting professional occupations such as teachers, library workers, nurses, and social workers.” On p. 198.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the current state of labor in the U.S., written by a highly-regarded academic. Well-researched and well-written. A great read for anyone who studies this topic area or who is simply interested in understanding the lay of the land when it comes to modern employment.

[Brian Hull · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thorough and thoughtful analysis and discussion of the bifurcation of the employment system in the U.S. over the past 40+ years. Starting with job quality and the changing work structures in the American labor market, and synthesizing it with research on wages, time spent at work, and individuals' control over their work activities, Kalleberg dissects the precariousness and polarity of good jobs versus bad jobs. The book concludes with a discussion on solutions and the political, economic, and social challenges that must be overcome to move the labor force away from bad jobs and towards good jobs for American workers.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was interesting. I did not read the entire thing (my course didn't require me to and I frankly don't have the time to continue reading), but I think it's something I would pick up again in the future. Kalleberg presents a good argument as to the polarization of "Good Jobs" and "Bad Jobs" and what that has meant to our society. It was certainly an eye-opener for the ingrained aspects of work culture in America. If you want a solid look into the way jobs and employment work and have worked, you should check this book out.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

See http://edsteffes.wordpress.com/2012/0...

[Dawn Paris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good explanation of such systems, even if his solutions aren't always ones I agree with.