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Future Unknown: How Digital Technologies and the ‘Future of Work’ Are Unsettling America

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Mobilization, Representation, and Responsiveness in the American Democracy
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Abstract

The US economy seems to be undergoing fundamental changes that are increasingly worrying the American worker. Since President Trump took office, his administration has taken a confrontational course against ‘unfair’ global trade and globalization. Technology as a driver for restructuring and change in the economy received less attention by politics and the public. Yet, technological transformation is seen as the main driver for the loss of jobs and the restructuring of work. Automation and the rise of a more independent workforce in the United States are two aspects of the so-called future of work. Alongside worrying trends like wage stagnation, rising inequality, and low labor participation, many Americans are increasingly becoming worried about their future, possibly resulting in more extreme political choices.

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Correspondence to Natalie Rauscher .

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Rauscher, N. (2020). Future Unknown: How Digital Technologies and the ‘Future of Work’ Are Unsettling America. In: Oswald, M.T. (eds) Mobilization, Representation, and Responsiveness in the American Democracy. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24792-8_9

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