| Cause | Advanced automation • AI • Distributed technologies |
| Title | Withering Away of the State |
| Outcome | Self-governing 'polycommunities' • High local autonomy • Transition to post-scarcity, post-state utopia |
| Location | |
| Description | The gradual dissolution of centralized nation-states and interstellar empires in the Magellanic Clouds over the 22nd century, driven by the decentralizing effects of advanced automation, AI, and distributed technologies. |
| Time period | 22nd century |
| Significance | Marks a shift from centralized nation-states to a decentralized model of governance, with the traditional role of the state diminishing as more functions are automated or handled at the community level. |
The "Withering Away of the State" is a historical concept that describes the gradual dissolution of centralized nation-states and interstellar empires in the Magellanic Clouds over the course of the 22nd century. This profound political transformation reshaped the governance and social structures of the Clouds, evolving towards a decentralized, post-scarcity model of self-governing communities.
The seeds of the Withering Away were planted in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, as rapid technological progress began to undermine the power and legitimacy of traditional political authorities. The rise of advanced automation, artificial intelligence, and distributed communication networks steadily eroded the need for large-scale, centralized institutions to manage economic, social, and infrastructural functions.
As more and more processes became automated or self-organizing, the role of national governments and interstellar empires in the Clouds began to diminish. Citizens found that they could increasingly manage their own affairs through voluntary cooperation and community-based decision-making, without need for top-down control. This created mounting pressure for political decentralization.
The transition towards a "polycommunity" model of governance accelerated in the 2120s and 2130s, as a series of peaceful popular uprisings swept across the Clouds. Sparked by a shared vision of a post-scarcity, post-state utopia, these movements advocated for the replacement of traditional nation-states with a network of self-governing, semi-autonomous "polycommunities."
Over the next several decades, the political landscape of the Clouds was radically reshaped. Centralized governments and interstellar empires gradually ceded power and authority to these emergent polycommunities, which organized themselves based on shared values, geographic proximity, and technological capabilities rather than arbitrary national borders. A new era of direct, participatory democracy began to flourish across the Clouds.
As the polycommunity model took hold, the traditional functions of the state - including defense, resource allocation, infrastructure management, and social welfare - were steadily devolved to the local level or automated entirely. With an abundance of clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and sophisticated AI-powered logistics, the need for centralized control and bureaucratic administration sharply declined.
By the late 22nd century, the remnants of nation-states and empires had largely withered away, replaced by a decentralized, self-governing patchwork of polycommunities. These communities varied widely in their specific political, economic, and social structures, but shared a common commitment to individual liberty, communal solidarity, and sustainable development.
The Withering Away of the State is viewed as a landmark achievement in the history of the Magellanic Clouds, representing the peaceful transition to a post-scarcity, post-state civilization. The dissolution of centralized political power enabled unprecedented levels of local autonomy, creative expression, and ecological restoration across the Clouds.
However, this transformation was not without its challenges. Coordinating interstellar trade, scientific research, and defense against external threats required the development of novel, decentralized governance frameworks. And the transition was not always smooth, as some communities struggled to balance individual freedoms with collective needs.
Nonetheless, the Withering Away is celebrated as a major milestone in the Clouds' political evolution - the culmination of centuries-long trends towards decentralization, automation, and the empowerment of local communities. It stands as a beacon for those across the cosmos seeking to reimagine the role of the state and realize the utopian potential of post-scarcity technologies.
