Conclusions and future challenges: The end of work and the end of history

Abstract

This concluding chapter further dismantles the notion of a technologically determined future of work, championing instead a more nuanced understanding that recognises the significant influence of social, economic and geopolitical factors. In particular, it discusses the emergence of a ‘new’ or ‘second’ cold war or ‘world civil war’ as potentially (re)shaping the future of work. Its influence is felt through its impact on national industrial policies and the relationship between state, capital and labour. Demonstrative of this, the chapter considers the emergence of ‘crisis corporatism’, where governments collaborate with industry and labour to navigate the challenges of geopolitical competition. However, it acknowledges the inherent power imbalances within such a system, where corporate interests often hold significant sway. It underscores the necessity for strong worker organisation and collective bargaining to counter this and ensure equitable outcomes. Ultimately, the chapter emphasises the need for renewed worker agency and a shift in power dynamics as crucial elements of achieving a more positive trajectory for work in the context of contemporary geopolitical dynamics.