The Politics of Time Gaining Control in the Age of Uncertainty

The Politics of Time: Gaining Control in the Age of Uncertainty is Guy Standing’s argument that time is not simply a personal resource to manage—it is politically organized, unequally distributed, and often taken from people by economic systems and institutions. Standing examines how power shapes who has time for rest, care, learning, civic participation, and reflection, and who instead faces insecurity, unpaid obligations, and constant pressure to remain available. The book traces a historical shift in how society values time. Drawing on ancient Greek distinctions among work, labour, recreation, leisure, and contemplation, Standing argues that industrial capitalism elevated paid labour above other valuable forms of life. In this view, employment becomes the central measure of worth while time outside work is treated as mere “free time,” despite its importance for relationships, citizenship, creativity, and well-being. Standing is especially concerned with the precariat: people living with unstable work, insecure income, unpredictable schedules, and growing administrative demands. He argues that uncertainty consumes time as well as money, leaving many people unable to plan, rest, or participate fully in their communities. His proposed response is a new politics of time that protects genuine leisure, expands shared and cooperative activity, supports democratic participation, and considers measures such as basic income to give people more control over their lives.