Fully Automated Luxury Communism

Fully Automated Luxury Communism: A Manifesto is a book by Aaron Bastani first published by Verso Books in 2019. It outlines a vision of a post-scarcity, post-capitalist society driven by technological advances such as automation, artificial intelligence, and synthetic biology.

Drawing on trends in energy, labour, and production, Bastani argues that these developments could eliminate scarcity and enable a future defined by abundance, reduced working hours, and universal access to luxuries previously reserved for the wealthy. Positioned within the broader tradition of Marxist thought, the book seeks to reframe socialist politics for the 21st century, proposing a radical reorganisation of society based on egalitarian principles and technological progress.

The book received a mixed critical reception. Supporters praised its optimistic vision of a post-scarcity society enabled by technological advancements like automation and renewable energy, highlighting its utopian ambition and engaging prose. Critics, however, questioned the feasibility of Bastani's proposals, citing a lack of detailed strategies for achieving such a transformation and concerns over the environmental implications of continued technological expansion. Some reviewers also noted that the book's reliance on a linear historical narrative may oversimplify complex socio-economic dynamics.