Identity, Precarity and Youths in China and France

In the era of capitalist globalization, the intensified circulation and global allocation of capital have made the precarity of wages, employment, and individual livelihoods more pronounced. Simultaneously, there is a growing demand among individuals for authentic self-expression. In China, a discourse of "lying-flat"(Tangping, 躺平) has gained traction among the youth, gradually becoming a part of their lived experiences. In France, a similar discourse of despair and meaninglessness is emerging among young people, who either resist authority and reality or engage in apathy. Within both social systems, the individualization and self-narratives among youth are undergoing changes. However, the tight interconnection of the global economy links local contexts, leading both China and France to witness a reconstruction of social relationships. This study combines digital ethnography and local ethnography, conducting interviews with government officials, labor intermediaries, informal economy participants, and precarious youths in Shenzhen(China) and Lyon(France). Additionally, in-depth interviews were carried out with 30 young individuals in situations of precarity. This research employs an interdisciplinary perspective to explore the interplay between local contexts and global dimensions, examining how global capital abstracts itself from familial, religious, and community relationships to construct industrial chains and resource allocations worldwide. This process generates precarious work and life trajectories, ultimately reshaping youth subjectivity. Analysis of the research materials reveals that the identity formation of precarious Chinese youths is rooted in ruptures between urban and rural experiences, while the identity of precarious French youths is influenced by divisions in urban spaces, educational experiences, and cultural contexts. Young people in precarious situations in both countries exhibit fractured and discontinuous identities, reflecting the coexistence of individualism and insecurity, alongside efforts and limitations in forging collective identities.