Definition
A Singleton is a world order in which there is a single decision-making agency at the global level. This agency can solve all major global coordination problems, such as arms races, climate change, and resource allocation. A singleton can be a world government, a dominant AI, a single state, or a set of robust, self-enforcing international norms.
Why It Matters
The ‘Singleton’ concept addresses the ‘coordination problem’ at the global scale; it warns that the future of humanity might depend on a single decision-making agency to prevent the catastrophic arms races and tragedies of the commons that plague a multi-polar world.
Core Concepts
- Formation via DSA: A singleton is likely to form if a single project achieves a Decisive Strategic Advantage and chooses to consolidate its power.
- Coordination Solutions: The primary benefit of a singleton is the elimination of “Tragedy of the Commons” and prisoner’s dilemma scenarios between competing nations.
- Varieties of Singletons:
- Unified AI: A single superintelligence that governs the world.
- World State: A traditional human government with a global monopoly on force.
- Enforcement Norms: A decentralized but perfectly enforced set of global rules.
- Stability: Once a superintelligent singleton is established, it may be extremely stable, as it can use its superior intelligence to prevent any internal or external challenges to its authority.
- Risk of Tyranny: A singleton solves coordination problems but introduces the risk of “permanent stagnation” or global tyranny if its goal system is not aligned with human flourishing.