Farewell to the rightist self-employed? ‘New self-employment’ and political alignments

Abstract

This study aims to provide theoretical and empirical clarity on whether people in ''new'' and precarious self-employment support the same political parties as those in traditional forms. Theoretical clarity is needed as the voting literature predominantly perceives self-employment in terms of class-based theories or insider/outsider theories, i.e., as a privileged grouping with shared interests as (potential) employers. Alternative perspectives, looking into the heterogeneity and precarization of self-employment have received less attention. Empirically, quantitative data are needed: Previous voting studies have not been able to differentiate the self-employed, either due to the lack of relevant indicators or because of low-N problems. Focusing on the Netherlands, this study addresses these shortcomings by analyzing data among over 800 self-employed without employees, using the Solo Self-Employment Panel. This study finds that the simple association between self-employment and rightist orientations is largely an oversimplification, and for growing segments of self-employment even a misrepresentation.

Evaluating the working conditions of the dependent self-employed

“…In terms of flexibility in arranging work times (e.g., easy to arrange an hour off, work in free time to meet work demands), those in dependent self-employment are weakly different to the genuine self-employed, having higher flexibility. Thus, when evaluating the working conditions of the dependent self-employed relative to the genuine self-employed, the results do not confirm the findings of previous studies (Cruz et al, 2017;Eichhorst et al, 2013;Eurofound, 2013;ILO, 2016;Jansen, 2017;Millán et al, 2018;Walby, 2009). For instance, and in contradiction to this study, Eurofound (2013) conclude that although the number of hours worked by the dependent self-employed (i.e., 36 hours) is closer to that of an employee (i.e., 37 hours), and lower than the hours worked by the self-employed with or without employees (48 and 42 hours, respectively), those in dependent self-employment have more atypical working hours.…”

“…Summarizing the studies on the working conditions of the dependent self-employed, the finding is that firstly, those in dependent self-employment work are viewed as relatively more likely to be working in a poor physical environment such as noisy, dangerous or high/low temperature workplaces (Eurofound, 2013;Millán et al, 2018) or to feel that they are less informed about the health and safety risks related to their job compared with other employment types (ILO, 2013). Secondly, there is a view that work intensification is greater for dependent self-employment in terms of working to tight deadlines, the pace of work not being controllable, and emotional demands (Eichhorst et al, 2013;Jansen, 2017). Thirdly, there is a perception that their working time is poorer in terms of the duration of work (e.g., long working hours or days), atypical working times (e.g., shift or weekend work), flexibility (e.g., working in free time to meet work demands) and/or their control over working time arrangements (Cruz et al, 2017;Eichhorst et al, 2013;Eurofound, 2013;ILO, 2016;Jansen, 2017;Millán et al, 2018;Walby, 2009).…”

“…Secondly, there is a view that work intensification is greater for dependent self-employment in terms of working to tight deadlines, the pace of work not being controllable, and emotional demands (Eichhorst et al, 2013;Jansen, 2017). Thirdly, there is a perception that their working time is poorer in terms of the duration of work (e.g., long working hours or days), atypical working times (e.g., shift or weekend work), flexibility (e.g., working in free time to meet work demands) and/or their control over working time arrangements (Cruz et al, 2017;Eichhorst et al, 2013;Eurofound, 2013;ILO, 2016;Jansen, 2017;Millán et al, 2018;Walby, 2009). Fourthly, there is a consensus that the social environment in the workplace is poorer for the dependent self-employed, in the sense that they are more likely to confront adverse social behaviour (e.g., verbal abuse, threats, sexual harassment, physical violence), and are less likely to receive help and social support from colleagues (Cruz et al, 2017;Eurofound 2018aEurofound , 2018bWilliams and Lepeyre, 2017).…”

On the outside looking in? A micro-level analysis of insiders’ and outsiders’ trade union membership

“…We focus on three key groups of outsiders based on current labor market status: (a) employees with fixed-term contracts, (b) the solo selfemployed and (c) the unemployed. Based on recent insights from the literature on trade union strategies, trade unions face great difficulties in representing these three groups of outsiders (e.g., Gumbrell-McCormick, 2011;Heery, 2009a;Jansen, 2017aJansen, , 2017bPernicka, 2005). These groups are contrasted to the prime insider group: employees with permanent contracts.…”

Solo self-employment and membership of interest organizations in the Netherlands: Economic, social, and political determinants

“…This finding contributes to our understanding of the political alignments associated with self-employment, which appear to be much more diverse than social class theories maintain (cf. Jansen, 2017).…”