Comparative Analysis of the Ideological and Political Orientations of the Precariat in Serbia, Germany, and Croatia

Abstract

The paper examines the ideological and political orientations of the precariat in three countries that occupy different positions within the global capitalist system – Serbia, Croatia, and Germany. The analysis is based on data collected during the IX round of the European Social Survey (ESS) in 2018. Members of the precariat in all three countries predominantly identify with political actors who use social demagoguery in their discourse, without questioning the underlying assumptions of neoliberal capitalism. Differences in political participation, perceptions of political efficacy, and ideological identification have been observed among the countries. While Serbia and Croatia exhibit low levels of political interest and distrust in their political systems, Germany has recorded higher levels of political competence and participation; however, there remains a general trend of declining trust in institutions. In Serbia, the precariat primarily identifies with right-wing or centre-right parties. The Croatian precariat largely supports policies that advocate for right-leaning political options, employing social demagoguery and promoting the protection of “domestic capitalism”. In Germany, members of the precariat often align with centrist parties that, while they may express left-leaning rhetoric, embrace (neo)liberal economic policies. In contrast, those who are not part of the precariat are more likely to identify with the radical right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfG). This trend can be attributed to the fact that migrant origins—an aspect that this party strongly denounces—are a significant predictor of precarity within the country. Finally, focus is placed on the ways in which the precariat perceives and reacts to political proposals amid the crisis dynamics inherent in neoliberal capitalism. In this context, redistributive-statist tendencies garner widespread support, often manifesting in a demagogic manner, regardless of the state's role within the broader framework of the global capitalist system.