Power in Complex Economies with Alex Williams

Guest Introduction

Alex Williams is co-author of one of the most provocative books in the post-capitalist space, Inventing the Future: Postcapitalism and a World Without Work. His more recent work synthesizes complexity science and hegemony - a nebulous form of power that inculcates particular ideologies and ways of seeing the world.

The idea of hegemony began with the Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci, but Alex's work brings the concept into the 21st century.

Alex is a lecturer in the School of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies at the University of East Anglia, UK, and co-author of the upcoming book, Hegemony Now, with Jeremy Gilbert from Verso Books.

Between his previous work with Nick on their Accelerationist Manifesto, and the more recent work on post-capitalism, one thing is clear: he isn't messing around.

Main Topics Covered

The episode explores hegemony and power dynamics in modern economies. Key discussion points include:

Varieties of power and hegemony structures
The disappearance of future-oriented thinking and "paralysis of the political imaginary"
How structural dynamics shape individual consciousness
Education's role in transmitting worldviews
Four core demands: Universal Basic Income, full automation, shorter work weeks, and moving beyond the Protestant work ethic
Progressive taxation proposals by Piketty, Zucman, and Saez
Radical Markets and complexity economics approaches
The relationship between theories of human nature and imagining alternative futures

Guest Introduction

Main Topics Covered

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