Utopia for Realists by Rutger Bregman

Utopia for Realists

Utopia for Realists is a call to arms for a radical rethinking of life, work, and how society functions. The book argues that the world enjoys unprecedented wealth and material comfort but is still full of problems, from soul-destroying jobs to inequality and poverty.

The author presents three core ideas for reconstructing modern society to promote a more productive and equitable life: a universal and unconditional basic income paid to everybody, a short working week of fifteen hours, and open borders.

The book explores and presents the author’s own version of utopia, which includes Universal Basic Income, a 15-hour workweek, and open borders. He presents each of these ideas, explains why they are a good idea, and how they could make life better for all of us. The author strikes a good balance of utopia and realism, presenting each utopian idea and referencing available research or historical events to prove their validity.

The book ends on a high note, reminding us that ideas can truly change the world. So we should imagine what we want to change it into. The book is a reminder that we influence the future and an invitation to think of the utopia we can create.

What I Liked

I love the optimism of the book. And while I might quibble with some of the details of his ideas, I absolutely agree that liberals need to offer people an incredible, abundant view of what could be…and then implement.

What I Did Not Like

Not a whole lot – excellent book.

Utopia for Realists by Rutger Bregman
$10.99
In Utopia for Realists, Rutger Bregman challenges us to rethink our approach to life, work, and society. He points out that despite our wealth, we still face issues like inequality and soul-crushing jobs. Bregman proposes three bold ideas: universal basic income, a 15-hour workweek, and open borders. I appreciated how he blends idealism with realism, backing up his ideas with research and historical examples. The book ends on an uplifting note, urging us to envision a better future. Overall, I loved the optimism, even if I had some minor disagreements—it's a fantastic read!
Pros:
  • The book presents a radical rethinking of society.
  • It offers optimistic and transformative ideas like Universal Basic Income and a shorter workweek.
  • The author balances utopian ideas with realism and supporting research.
Cons:
  • Not a whole lot - excellent book.
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02/12/2025 09:47 am GMT
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