Andy Hines, "Imagining After Capitalism" (Triarchy Press, 2025)
Dec 7, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, Andy Hines, an Associate Professor at the University of Houston and seasoned futurist, delves into his work, "Imagining After Capitalism". He explores the need for innovative economic models and introduces three intriguing concepts: the Circular Commons, Non-Workers’ Paradise, and Tech-Led Abundance. Hines emphasizes the importance of reimagining societal values and actively shaping a post-capitalist future. The conversation also touches on the role of technology and collaboration in achieving a sustainable, inclusive world.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of envisioning alternative futures to capitalism through structured foresight methodologies and public discourse to inspire societal change.
Three guiding images for a post-capitalist future—circular commons, non-workers paradise, and tech-led abundance—offer diverse pathways for addressing ecological, social, and technological challenges.
Deep dives
The Need for New Visions Beyond Capitalism
The discussion revolves around the necessity of envisioning alternatives to capitalism, particularly given the systemic challenges the current model faces. The author emphasizes their role as a futurist, using a structured foresight methodology to identify potential futures through extensive horizon scanning. The conversation highlights the increased public interest in post-capitalist ideas, especially since 2012, as societal discontent grows amidst capitalism's failures. The urgency of exploring these alternatives is underscored by the observation that optimism about the future has significantly decreased over recent years.
Key Models for a Post-Capitalist Future
Three guiding images for a post-capitalist future are explored: the circular commons, non-workers paradise, and tech-led abundance. The circular commons focuses on environmentally sustainable practices, suggesting pathways such as degrowth that prioritize ecological health. The non-workers paradise envisions a future where automation and AI lead to reduced work demands, allowing individuals to engage in fulfilling activities outside traditional employment. Tech-led abundance posits that advancements in technology can solve many social and economic issues, providing a framework for a society where wealth is more equitably distributed.
Challenges to Implementing New Ideals
The discussion acknowledges potential backlash against shifts away from capitalism, emphasizing that established interests will likely resist change to protect their resources. There is a call to avoid demonizing individuals who support capitalism; rather, the focus should be on fostering constructive dialogue about the necessary transformations. The importance of gradual transformation is mentioned, as abrupt changes can lead to societal instability. The author suggests that a 20-30 year timeline for major shifts allows for thoughtful consideration and planning in moving towards post-capitalist models.
Integrating Technology into Future Models
The role of technology, especially artificial intelligence, is critiqued as both an enabler and a potential disruptor to achieving post-capitalist visions. The author argues that the outcomes of AI depend heavily on how society chooses to utilize the technology—either for collective benefit or to further concentrate wealth. There are numerous small-scale experiments with concepts like universal basic income that show promise, indicating that incremental changes can lead to more extensive adaptations in society. This suggests that technology, if managed correctly, could facilitate a transition toward a more equitable and sustainable future.
Arguing that the absence of compelling positive alternatives keeps us stuck in a combination of fear, denial, and false hope, he offers three “guiding images” for the long-term future: an environmentally driven Circular Commons, a socially and politically driven Non-Workers’ Paradise, and a technology-driven Tech-Led Abundance.
Imagining After Capitalism argues “first things first.” Let us first decide where we want to go before building detailed plans for getting there. The three “guiding images” are not the answers, but are intended to provoke discussion about the possibilities.
The book offers an alternative to the prevailing doom and gloom and suggests there are indeed positive alternatives out there and it’s time to get started on crafting a different path to the future!
Andy Hines brings more than three decades of experience as a futurist to the Imagining After Capitalism work. He has explored the future from multiple vantage points. He is currently an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator at the University of Houston Foresight program. He also spent a decade as an organizational futurist, first with Kellogg’s and then Dow Chemical. His consulting futurists roles included Coates & Jarratt, Inc., Social Technologies/Innovaro and currently his own firm Hinesight.