This is my next big work

2026-06-11 · Source: David Shapiro · Field: Government & Public Sector — Public Policy & Governance, Social Sciences & Behavioral Studies · Depth: Intermediate, extended

Summary

The author introduces a "realist theory of rights," a forthcoming book expanding on "post-labor economics," which posits that advanced automation and AI are eliminating elite dependence on human labor, leading to "redundant biomass" and "mass irrelevance." Historically, human labor's unique characteristics (e.g., mandatory, refusable, specialized) provided bargaining power, forming the basis of "double bilateral dependence" and "generative mutualism" through "credible threats." Rights are typically gained via "coercive extraction of concessions" when repression costs exceed concession costs. As labor's traditional bargaining power depreciates, a new "veto power" is crucial. The author advocates for nonviolent resistance, like general strikes and tax resistance, to engineer new institutional safeguards, citing Germany's Basic Law Article 1. Despite current high labor force participation (83.8% in America) and a 3.5% success threshold for nonviolent campaigns, this bargaining power is a depreciating asset, with estimates suggesting 5-20 years before its loss.

Key takeaway

For policy makers and civic leaders navigating the societal impact of advanced automation, you must proactively engineer new forms of "veto power" to secure human rights. As labor's traditional bargaining power depreciates, prioritize constitutional amendments that divorce human dignity from economic utility. Support and organize nonviolent resistance efforts, aiming for 3.5% participation, to establish new credible threats before mass irrelevance becomes irreversible.

Key insights

Automation erodes human labor's bargaining power, necessitating new "veto power" through nonviolent resistance to secure future rights.

Principles

• Human labor's unique characteristics historically provided bargaining power.
• Rights are granted when repression costs exceed concession costs.
• Nonviolent resistance is more than twice as effective as violent resistance.

Method

Engineer new veto power through nonviolent resistance, such as general strikes, tax resistance, and shutting down critical infrastructure, to force institutional changes like constitutional amendments.

In practice

• Organize nonviolent resistance campaigns with 3.5% participation.
• Advocate for constitutional amendments securing human dignity.
• Support independent research on civic equilibrium and rights.

Topics

• Realist Theory of Rights
• Automation Impact
• Nonviolent Resistance
• Credible Threats
• Civic Equilibrium
• Human Dignity

Best for: Policy Maker, AI Ethicist, Consultant

Related on AIssential

• The rise of AI is making the future of work look bleak – but it could be an opportunity — AI-driven anxieties are fostering cross-class solidarity, potentially revitalizing worker power and labor movements.
• Protected Sovereignty: A Constitution for a Post-ASI World — Protected Sovereignty proposes constitutional constraints for ASI coexistence, prioritizing human safety and freedom over human centrality or value optimization.
• I'm starting a movement — The L0 movement aims to abolish human labor, viewing it as an inevitable outcome of AI and robotics.
• Political Violence Is Never Acceptable — Violence and threats are unacceptable, immoral, and ineffective, especially in high-stakes AI discourse.
• New and Growing Challenges to Women’s Freedom of Association — The UN's freedom of association comment must address women's unique vulnerabilities, especially from tech-enabled surveillance and threats to peacebuilding.
• Anthropic Warned Big Companies About Mythos. Workers and Watchdogs Need a Seat at the Table. — Unchecked AI development, driven by a "race to replace" human labor, risks an "anti-human future" without broad accountability.

Open in AIssential →

Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by David Shapiro.