Relative surplus population and social constitution: concrete forms of neoliberal capitalist work

Purpose The article examines the reserve army of labor as a constitutive social relation in capitalism, moving beyond traditional views that link it solely to capital accumulation. It explores how relative surplus population shapes class struggle and labor relations, particularly in the neoliberal context, emphasizing its role in proletarianization and the emergence of precarious and informal work. Design/methodology/approach The study employs a Marxist theoretical framework, analyzing Marx’s concept of the reserve army through dialectical and historical materialist lenses. It is structured into three sections: the intrinsic necessity of the reserve army in capitalism, its role in class formation and its concrete manifestations under neoliberalism. Findings The reserve army is not merely an effect of accumulation but a dynamic social relation that perpetuates worker precarity and class struggle. Neoliberalism has blurred distinctions between active and reserve labor, integrating precarious forms (e.g. platform work) as normalized labor relations, intensifying exploitation globally. Originality/value The article challenges conventional analyses by framing the reserve army as central to class constitution, not just economic cycles. It innovatively links neoliberal labor transformations to Marx’s theory, highlighting how precarity and informality are inherent to capitalist social relations, not exceptions. This perspective bridges gaps between political economy and contemporary labor studies.