Introduction
In "Inventing the Future", Alex Williams presents a critical examination of the current state of left-wing politics and offers a bold vision for how to move beyond capitalism toward a more equitable future. The book argues that traditional leftist tactics like protests and ethical consumerism are no longer sufficient to create meaningful change in our complex, globalized world. Instead, Williams proposes embracing automation and universal basic income as part of a long-term strategy to fundamentally reshape society.
The Limits of Folk Politics
Williams begins by critiquing what he calls "folk politics" - the localized, small-scale, direct action approaches that dominate much of contemporary leftist activism. While these tactics may feel good in the moment, the author argues they often fail to create lasting structural change:
Reactive Rather Than Proactive
Folk politics tends to be reactive, responding to actions by corporations and governments rather than proactively shaping the course of events. Protests and boycotts may temporarily delay harmful projects, but rarely prevent them entirely.
Emotionally-Driven
There is an emphasis on emotional responses like anger and outrage rather than critical thinking and long-term strategy. While emotions can be motivating, they are not enough on their own to tackle complex systemic issues.
Simplifies Complex Issues
Folk politics appeals to people by simplifying the intricate web of global systems into more tangible local actions. However, this oversimplification can obscure the true nature of the problems we face.
Lacks Long-Term Vision
By focusing on immediate, self-gratifying goals, folk politics often loses sight of the bigger picture and fails to work toward a coherent vision of an alternative future.
Limited Impact
While folk political actions may generate temporary momentum and media attention, they struggle to create deep, lasting change to social and economic structures.
The author uses the example of Live Aid, which raised money for Ethiopian famine relief through emotional celebrity-driven events. While well-intentioned, this approach failed to address root causes and some funds even ended up prolonging the civil war.
The Appeal of Folk Politics
Despite its limitations, Williams acknowledges that folk politics remains popular for several reasons:
Simplifies a Complex World
Global systems like the economy are incredibly complex and difficult for most people to fully grasp. Folk politics offers a way to engage that feels more concrete and tangible.
Provides a Sense of Agency
Taking local action gives people a feeling that they are making a difference, even if the actual impact is limited.
Offers Emotional Gratification
The immediacy of folk politics provides quick emotional payoffs that can be very appealing.
Aligns with Existing Cultural Narratives
Ideas of "grassroots" organizing and "people power" resonate with popular notions of how change happens.
However, the author argues that we must move beyond these comforting but limited approaches if we want to create real alternatives to the current system.
The Rise of Neoliberalism
To understand the shortcomings of the contemporary left, Williams examines how the opposing ideology of neoliberalism rose to global dominance:
Origins as a Fringe Theory
Neoliberalism began as a marginal school of thought in the 1920s and 30s, emerging from academic circles in Vienna, Chicago, London, and Germany.
Formation of the Mont Pelerin Society
In 1938, leading neoliberal thinkers like Friedrich Hayek and Ludwig von Mises formed a transnational organization called the Mont Pelerin Society to develop and spread their ideas.
Long-Term Strategy
Rather than seeking quick wins, neoliberals focused on a decades-long project to reshape the intellectual and policy landscape.
Institutional Infrastructure
They systematically built up think tanks, academic departments, and media outlets to promote their worldview.
Elite Influence
By targeting decision-makers and opinion leaders, neoliberals were able to exert outsized influence despite their small numbers.
Ideological Flexibility
Neoliberalism adapted its message for different audiences while maintaining its core free-market principles.
Government Support
Despite rhetoric of free markets, neoliberals leveraged state power when possible to implement their agenda.
Cultural Shift
Over time, neoliberal ideas became so entrenched that they came to be seen as simple common sense rather than one particular ideology.
By the 1980s, neoliberalism had become the dominant global paradigm, embraced by leaders like Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. Its influence can now be seen in everything from economic policy to how individuals view themselves.
Lessons for the Left
Williams argues that the left can learn valuable lessons from neoliberalism's rise to power:
Long-Term Vision
Instead of just reacting to immediate crises, develop a clear picture of the society we want to create.
Strategic Thinking
Move beyond feel-good actions to carefully consider how to achieve our goals over time.
Build Institutions
Invest in think tanks, media outlets, and other organizations to promote leftist ideas.
Target Elites
While maintaining grassroots support, also work to influence decision-makers and thought leaders.
Flexibility
Adapt messaging and tactics for different audiences while staying true to core principles.
Embrace Complexity
Don't shy away from developing sophisticated analyses and proposals.
Rethink Organization
Be willing to use hierarchy and even secrecy when strategically useful, rather than fetishizing horizontal structures.
The author contends that by adopting some of these approaches, the left can work toward building the kind of hegemonic position that neoliberalism currently enjoys.
The Future of Work and Automation
Having established the need for a new leftist strategy, Williams turns to examining current trends in labor and technology:
Rise of Automation
Robots and artificial intelligence are rapidly replacing human workers across many industries. Since 1970, the number of industrial robots has grown from 1,000 to over 1.6 million.
Vulnerable Jobs
Estimates suggest that between 47% and 80% of today's jobs could potentially be automated in the coming decades.
Unemployment Concerns
As more jobs are lost to automation, there are growing fears about widespread technological unemployment.
Service Sector Growth
While manufacturing jobs decline, employment growth has been concentrated in service industries - but even these are increasingly at risk of automation.
Longer Working Hours
Despite predictions that technology would lead to more leisure time, many people are working longer hours than ever before.
Work-Life Blurring
Digital technology has eroded the boundaries between work and personal life for many workers.
Failed Predictions
Earlier thinkers like John Maynard Keynes and Karl Marx predicted that technological progress would dramatically reduce working hours by now, but this has not materialized.
The author argues that these trends point toward a future where full automation becomes increasingly likely and even necessary. Rather than fearing this prospect, he suggests we should embrace it as an opportunity for radical change.
The Case for Universal Basic Income
To address the challenges and opportunities presented by automation, Williams proposes implementing a universal basic income (UBI):
What is UBI?
A universal basic income would provide every citizen with a regular, unconditional sum of money sufficient to cover basic living expenses.
Historical Precedent
While it may sound radical, UBI has been seriously considered before. In the 1960s and 70s, it was explored as part of US welfare reform and supported by many economists.
Growing Support
The idea has gained renewed interest in recent years, with backing from diverse figures across the political spectrum.
Liberation from Work
By providing a basic standard of living for all, UBI would free people from the necessity of working simply to survive.
Addressing Job Losses
As automation eliminates more jobs, UBI offers a way to ensure people can still meet their needs.
Empowering Workers
With a guaranteed income, workers would have more power to negotiate better conditions or leave exploitative jobs.
Valuing Unpaid Labor
UBI would provide compensation for important unpaid work like childcare and community service.
Fostering Creativity
Freed from financial pressure, people could pursue education, art, innovation, and other fulfilling activities.
Challenging Work Ideology
By separating income from employment, UBI prompts us to rethink the central role of work in our lives and identities.
The author envisions UBI as a key component of a post-capitalist future, providing the material security needed for people to flourish beyond the constraints of wage labor.
Building a Post-Work Society
Williams argues that embracing automation and UBI could pave the way for a radically different kind of society:
Redefining Progress
Instead of measuring success through economic growth and employment, we could prioritize human flourishing and ecological sustainability.
Shorter Work Week
With basic needs met through UBI, the standard work week could be dramatically reduced, allowing more time for leisure, family, and personal development.
Education for its Own Sake
Learning could be pursued out of genuine interest rather than just for job qualifications.
Strengthening Democracy
With more free time, people could become more engaged in civic life and participatory governance.
Reimagining Cities
Urban spaces could be redesigned around human needs rather than the demands of commerce and commuting.
Environmental Benefits
Reduced consumption and a shift away from growth-at-all-costs could help address ecological crises.
New Forms of Meaning
As work becomes less central to identity, people may find purpose through relationships, creativity, spirituality, and other pursuits.
Technological Dividends
The fruits of automation could be more equitably shared across society rather than concentrating wealth in the hands of a few.
The author acknowledges that such a transformation would face significant challenges, but argues that it represents a compelling alternative to our current trajectory.
Strategies for Change
To move toward this post-capitalist vision, Williams outlines several key strategic priorities:
Develop a Compelling Narrative
Craft an inspiring story of how life could be better in a world beyond capitalism and wage labor.
Build a Broad Coalition
Unite diverse groups around common interests in reducing work and improving quality of life.
Leverage Existing Trends
Frame automation and UBI as solutions to problems already recognized in mainstream discourse.
Start Small
Begin with pilot programs and gradual expansions to demonstrate the viability of UBI and reduced work hours.
Combine Top-Down and Bottom-Up
Work simultaneously to influence policy at high levels while building grassroots support and alternative institutions.
Prepare for Resistance
Anticipate and plan for pushback from entrenched interests who benefit from the status quo.
Think Globally
Coordinate efforts internationally to address the global nature of our economic system.
Embrace Pluralism
Recognize that there may be multiple paths forward and remain open to diverse approaches.
Patience and Persistence
Understand that fundamental change takes time and be prepared to work toward long-term goals.
The author emphasizes that this is not a blueprint but a starting point for reimagining leftist strategy in the 21st century.
Challenges and Critiques
Williams acknowledges several potential objections to his proposals:
Feasibility Concerns
Critics argue that UBI would be too expensive or that people would stop working entirely.
Automation Skepticism
Some contend that predictions of widespread job losses due to technology are overblown.
Reformist vs. Revolutionary Debate
There are disagreements over whether UBI represents meaningful systemic change or just a band-aid on capitalism.
Cultural Resistance
Work is so central to many people's identities that a post-work society may be hard for some to accept.
Political Obstacles
Powerful interests are likely to strongly oppose policies that could reduce their wealth and influence.
Global Inequality
Implementing UBI in wealthy countries could exacerbate disparities with the developing world.
Ecological Limits
Critics worry that providing everyone with a basic income could increase consumption and environmental damage.
The author engages with these critiques while maintaining that the potential benefits outweigh the challenges.
Conclusion
"Inventing the Future" presents a provocative vision for moving beyond the limitations of both folk politics and neoliberal capitalism. By learning from the strategic successes of the right while staying true to leftist values, Williams argues we can work toward a world where technology liberates us from drudgery rather than creating precarity.
The book's proposals around automation, universal basic income, and reimagining work offer a starting point for envisioning a radically different society. While acknowledging the enormous obstacles to such transformation, the author contends that developing such bold, long-term visions is essential if the left hopes to offer a compelling alternative to the status quo.
Ultimately, "Inventing the Future" is a call to move beyond reactive, small-scale activism toward proactive efforts to reshape the very foundations of our social and economic systems. It challenges readers to expand their political imaginations and consider how we might harness technological progress to create a more just, sustainable, and fulfilling world for all.