Interesting.
There is a human component to build the robot and program it to function in a certain way. But the human component is decreasing. You already have robots that make robots, programmed by human. But AI will likely be here this century, which would mean there doesn't need to be any human input at all. You don't need to pay robots, they don't need breaks or holidays...so they generate value that can either go to the owners (like in our current economic system), or to be for the benefit of civilization, or a combination of both.
I don't insist on that notion of obligation, but I feel like humanity will likely move in that direction. The old and present model of being paid money for hours of human labour...I feel will need to change with automation. Think of taxi drivers and alternative paid transportation like uber...imagine how it will be affected by driverless cars with autopilot and gps. There are many other industries that will get affected similarly and those jobs will go away over time. It's even in the best interest of rich people, to have a middle class. If it's only super rich and poor, then it can become unsafe for a rich person.
Look at Elon Musk for example...he is voluntarily trying to make a positive impact on the environment through sustainable energy (solar), battery storage and electric cars. I think there will be more people that take that model of work, where they are super smart, understand how to acquire huge resources, and the use those resources to innovate technology that will help humanity as a whole, even though it is for profit...the impact is positive.
But in terms of what will humanity do in return for having their basic needs provided...I'm not sure. Society would be very different if the extreme struggle associated with fulfilling basic needs was completely removed. I think people would be two ways to go. The lazy people can just chill, and be content. And others would follow their passions, which may result in some type of mastery and contribution back to society. Personally, if that was the way society was at the moment, and my basic needs were taken care of, I would follow my passions and dedicate myself to get as good as I could possibly get. And maybe if I get good enough, I can produce a good or service that people would enjoy. Actually sounds like a communist approach...but a very technologically advanced execution lol.
You make great comparison with communism - Ive lived through it.
You know where that lead to? Very, very small group of people (politbyro, but you can call them papacy aswell), who knew each other held responsibility for redistribution of wealth (social justice, but could be called salvation) in the name of the state (god). It is called democratic centralism and is still practiced by Peoples republic of China.
These men were very close to historical definition of demi gods. Tasked to administer collective means of production and development, since private property was not really an option. At different time periods taking or protecting lives seemingly at whim.
Democracy, that westerners taky for granted is quite fragile thing, tied intimately to the relationship between means of production and its owners. Take common men out of this equation and their role in the political system will diminish aswell. You are right, you would be probadly well fed and clothed in such system (as it will be obligation of upper class in such social contract), however ultimately you would lead a life of pet in a nice cage.
I am not forcing this view on you, just sharing my experience and perhaps hoping it will make you think.
Good points and discussion. I have not personally lived in a communism system, and from what I have heard about it, it was not well executed. I think any economic platform, whether it be communism, socialism or capitalism, needs to be executed properly. I don't see any examples of any of them with good execution. They all involve either government corruption (acting with self interest over the public's interests) or a complete disregard for the environment. Historical examples of communism don't include high civil liberty...but it can in theory.
In terms of the politburo...the key would be to not have politicians...but the actual technological innovators and scientists. Politicians are a complete waste and unnecessary. Once you have internet and people have connectivity, I don't see the point in having "representatives".
Western democracy is weird as well. There is a lot of corruption in the process of selecting candidates, and having corporate interests fund them. That election had Trump vs. Clinton. These are not ideal leaders by any means, but they are able to do whatever it takes politically to navigate through the system and satisfy their own self interests. Actual leaders don't seem to get involved with politics.
This is simply a thought that has nothing to do with our reality. For it to ever get to that point, we would need a conscious population...with a hive mentality. Similar to how a bee does what is needed for the hive, and not himself or herself. There is no personal interest outside of the success of the hive as a whole. It will take some time before we get there, if we can ever get there before destroying ourselves.