Utopia for Realists
 First edition (Dutch) | |
| Author | Rutger Bregman |
|---|---|
| Audio read by | Peter Noble |
| Original title | Gratis geld voor iedereen |
| Translator | Elizabeth Manton |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Language | Dutch |
| Publisher | De Correspondent |
Publication date | 2014 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 288 |
| ISBN | 978-9082520347 |
| OCLC | 1039088412 |
| Part of a series on |
| Utopias |
|---|
 |
| Mythical and religious |
| Literature |
| Theory |
| Concepts |
| Practice |
|
Utopia for Realists: The Case for a Universal Basic Income, Open Borders, and a 15-hour Workweek (alternatively subtitled And How We Can Get There and How We Can Build the Ideal World) is a book by Dutch popular historian Rutger Bregman.[1] It was originally written as articles in Dutch for a virtual journal, De Correspondent, and was since compiled and published,[2] and translated into several languages. It offers a critical proposal that it claims is a practical approach to reconstructing modern society to promote a more productive and equitable life based on three core ideas:
- a universal basic income paid to everybody
- a short working week of fifteen hours
- open borders worldwide with the free movement of citizens between all states
Thesis[edit]
Rationale[edit]
As a result of the advance of international trade and economic science in recent decades, globalization has radically transformed the traditional social and economic order from smaller, connected nations to a new world economy which, while already demonstrably capable of rescuing millions of people from poverty, could be extended to the entire human species.[3]
However, the new global system unfairly compensates a few rich countries,[4] and, with the progressive substitution of human capital with automation and robotics,[5] has also generated an increase in inequality, both between the investment community and its workforce[6] within the G20 states as well as between developed countries and their developing neighbours.
Justification[edit]
Each idea is supported by multiple academic studies and anecdotal evidence including numerous success stories, quoting Richard Nixon's 1968 plan for a basic income for Americans,[7] the Mincome project in the Canadian city of Dauphin, Manitoba, which "eliminated poverty" and reduced hospitalisation rates,[8] and the perceived success of the Schengen Agreement.[9]
Reception[edit]
In her review for The Independent, Caroline Lucas described the book as a "brilliantly written and unorthodox page-turner."[10]
Writing for The Observer, Will Hutton said, "You may not dream the same dreams as Bregman – but he invites you to take dreaming seriously. For that alone, this book is worth a read."[11]
See also[edit]
- Critical theory
- Disclosing New Worlds
- Distribution of wealth
- Ethical socialism
- Georgism
- Income distribution
- Protestant work ethic
- Social justice
- Utopian architecture
- Utopian socialism
References[edit]
- ^ Rutger Bregman (2017-03-14). Utopia for Realists: How We Can Build the Ideal World. Little, Brown and Company/Hachette Book Group USA. ISBN 978-0316471893.
- ^ Harford, Tim (March 9, 2018). "Rutger Bregman: 'Basic income is all about the freedom to say no'". Financial Times. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- ^ "World Economic Forum Growth Development Index 2017" (PDF).
- ^ OECD:Trade Between Developed And Developing Countries': The Decade Ahead
- ^ Robotics and automation, employment, and aging Baby Boomers
- ^ "The decline in labor's share of corporate income since 2000 means $535 billion less for workers".
- ^ "Nixon's Basic Income Plan". jacobinmag.com.
- ^ "A Canadian City Once Eliminated Poverty And Nearly Everyone Forgot". HuffPost Canada. December 23, 2014.
- ^ Heinze, Aleksej (4 September 2015). "Business will suffer if border crossings between European neighbours are shut". The Conversation.
- ^ Lucas, Caroline (March 22, 2017). "Utopia for Realists by Rutger Bregman review: A brilliantly written and unorthodox page-turner". The Independent. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
- ^ Hutton, Will (March 13, 2017). "Utopia for Realists: And How We Can Get There by Rutger Bregman – review". The Observer. Retrieved February 22, 2019.