Den flexibla gigarbetaren?

Sammanfattning

The theory and method used in this thesis is Laclau’s and Mouffe’s discourse theory. By answering how the concept of freedom is articulated in the gig economy discourse, the thesis examines how our understanding of freedom interacts with our conceptualization of the gig economy. By understanding the different articulations of freedom through concepts as hegemony, floating signifier, and equivalence/difference, the essay formulates a theoretical framework for understanding the discursive struggle in the debate about the gig economy and how these constitute moments of power and conflict. A conclusion made in this study is that different articulations of freedom can be identified within the gig economy. The material identifies two discourses: the neoliberal and critical discourse. The discursive struggle around the floating significant is also analyzed: The neoliberal discourse articulates freedom with flexibility, individualism, development, and innovation, while the critical discourse articulates freedom with control, security, regulation, and rights. By giving these ambiguous concepts specific meaning, the different articulations show us how two fundamentally different political projects aim for hegemony through discursive struggle. The articulation of freedom in the gig economy thus represents ideological projects. The essay contributes to the discussion of a neglected but highly relevant subject in political science and thereby increases the understanding of how dominant power relations are reproduced and challenged in the discourse.