Reviewed in the December 2017 issue of the Socialist Standard:

http://socialiststandardmyspace.blogspot.com/2017/12/standing-orders-2017.html

This book from 2016 is a complete catalog of the problems in today's capitalism. Examples are provided from the US, the UK and Europe. Although most of the problems described are not new, having all of them presented at one time makes the magnitude of the problem feel overwhelming.

Standing is not opposed to capitalism itself but claims throughout the book that what we have today is neither true capitalism nor a true free market.

The last chapter includes some recommendations for the precariat to rise up and to form political parties based upon class. ( )

A polemic and a call to action to step towards the "euthanasia of the Rentier", Guy Standing's book is strong on the failure of the world's political and financial systems leading up to the crash of 2008, and immediately afterwards, up to the present day.

There are arguments for a basic income and better defence of the common good, but for me the element of human nature was missing.

I found this book disappointing. It is nevertheless insightful and well-argued, so others may find it more worthwhile than I did. ( )