The rise and structure of the precariat culture

The article examines the genesis and distinguishing features of the precariat culture as a stable socio-cultural phenomenon of the post-industrial era, arising in the context of contemporary changes in the labour market and structural shifts in society. Singling out the key contributing factors and main stages of its emergence, the article also focuses on how the formation of the precarious class can be seen in the context of the neoliberal economic model and platform capitalism, including its values, lifestyle and forms of cultural self-realisation. Special attention is paid to adaptation to the labour market and the rise of precariat's cultural identity under the conditions of growing uncertainty and flexibility in the work environment. The authors also focus their attention on the digital environment as the main space for constructing precarious identity and solidarity. It is online platforms, social networks, and thematic communities that become the ‘assembly points’ where atomised workers, deprived of traditional labour guarantees and ties to the office, find their voice and a sense of camaraderie. Virtual space compensates for the absence of physical trade unions, allowing for the formation of situational alliances, the exchange of survival strategies, and the sharing of emotional experiences of living with permanent instability. Through memes, blogs, and digital storytelling, vulnerability is aestheticised, transforming personal anxiety into a collective cultural code. The conclusion is that the culture of the precariat is not a marginal subcultural element, but a systemic response to the transformation of the world of labour, relevant for the analysis of contemporary social processes. The spread of the gig economy and the “uberisation” of employment mean that the principles of precarious existence are penetrating all strata of society, from couriers to highly qualified IT specialists and academic workers.