The Labor of Hope: Meritocracy and Precarity in Egypt

The Labor of Hope explores the struggles of educated but underemployed men in Egypt as they seek fulfilling employment, meaningful relationships, and secure family life. It reveals the lived contradiction at the heart of capitalist systems, where expansive dreams encourage precarious lives. Through education, migration, consumption, and prayer, individuals cultivate distraction and hope for future mobility, placing responsibility on the individual rather than structural issues in Egypt's economy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 14 November 2023
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Technological advancements, expanding education, and unfettered capitalism have fueled aspirations for better lives worldwide, even as employment declines and inequality widen, pushing more people into insecurity and hardship. In Egypt, a generation of young men yearns for fulfilling employment, meaningful relationships, and secure family life, yet few pathways exist to achieve these goals.

The Labor of Hope delves into the lives of these educated but underemployed men, shedding light on the contradiction at the heart of capitalist systems. Author Harry Pettit explores the ways in which individuals cultivate distractions and hope for future mobility, including education, migration, consumption, and prayer. These practices serve as emotional labor for young men, placing responsibility on the individual rather than structural issues in Egypt's economy. Pettit's insightful analysis reveals how the capitalist economy continues to captivate those it harms, highlighting the need for systemic change.

In conclusion, The Labor of Hope offers a poignant exploration of the struggles faced by young men in Egypt and the broader global context. Through its examination of emotional labor and the pursuit of a good life, the book sheds light on the complexities of capitalist systems and the urgent need for transformative solutions.

Weight: 366g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503637443