Utopia for Realists
| File:Utopia for Realists.png First edition (Dutch) | |
| Author | Rutger Bregman |
|---|---|
| Audio read by | Peter Noble |
| Original title | Gratis geld voor iedereen |
| Translator | Elizabeth Manton |
| Language | Dutch |
| Publisher | De Correspondent |
Publication date | 2014 |
| Publication place | Netherlands |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 288 |
| ISBN | Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). |
| OCLC | 1039088412 |
| Part of a series on |
| Utopias |
|---|
| File:2010 Utopien arche04.jpg |
| 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 2014 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 | edit source]Rationale
[edit | edit source]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 | edit source]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 | edit source]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 | edit source]References
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- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ OECD:Trade Between Developed And Developing Countries': The Decade Ahead
- ^ Robotics and automation, employment, and aging Baby Boomers
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External links
[edit | edit source]- Utopia for Realists on bloomsbury.com
- Utopia for Realists on Rutger Bregman's website (rutgerbregman.com)