Non-fiction

Utopia for Realists

Name: Utopia for Realists
Author: Rutger Bregman

Rutger Bregman

24 minAudio9 insights

What you'll learn

•The history and importance of utopian thinking in societal progress.
•Why a shorter workweek could benefit individuals and society.
•The evidence supporting universal basic income as a tool against poverty.
•How technological advances threaten traditional labor markets and what can be done.
•The psychological challenges in changing societal beliefs and embracing new ideas.
•The limitations of GDP as a measure of progress and the need for new metrics.
•The global inequality caused by closed borders and the potential of open migration.

Who should read this

✓Policy Makers and Economists
✓Social Activists and Advocates
✓Students of Sociology and Economics
✓Anyone Interested in Future of Work and Welfare

About this book

A visionary manifesto advocating universal basic income, shorter workweeks, and open borders to build a fairer and more prosperous society.

Did You Know?

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The concept of universal basic income dates back to the 16th century with Thomas More's 'Utopia'.

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Audio Summary

Section 1

Rediscovering Utopia: The Lost Art of Dreaming Big

3:45

8 Sections

Preview: Rediscovering Utopia: The Lost Art of Dreaming Big

Imagine a world where for thousands of years, almost everyone you knew lived in hardship — poverty, hunger, disease, and fear were the norm. This was the reality for 99% of human history. For centuries, life expectancy was so low that even the richest nations of the past could not match the health outcomes of some of the poorest countries today. Yet, in just the blink of an eye in historical terms — the last two hundred years — we have witnessed a transformation so profound that it reshapes the very fabric of our existence. Billions have escaped extreme poverty, life spans have doubled, and technology has revolutionized our daily lives.

But here lies a paradox. Despite this remarkable progress, many people feel a profound emptiness, a loss of vision for a better future. The medieval dream of Cockaigne, a land where rivers flowed with wine and food fell like rain, was born out of a desperate yearning for relief from suffering. Today, we live in a version of that utopia materially, yet the spark of utopian dreaming has dimmed. We have more than enough, but we lack a compelling dream to propel us forward.

Why has this happened? The answer lies partly in our inability to imagine something beyond the current state of affairs. While we can measure GDP growth and technological innovation, we struggle to conceive of a society that values leisure, equality, and well-being above endless consumption and work. This loss of imagination confines us to a narrow view of progress, where material gains are the sole markers of success.

Yet, history teaches us that utopias are not rigid blueprints but beacons that inspire change and challenge the status quo. They open windows in our minds to possibilities beyond the present. Without such dreams, progress stalls and society becomes complacent, trapped in a cycle of managing problems rather than envisioning solutions.

As we move forward, it is vital to rekindle the art of dreaming — to envision new utopias that embrace both the lessons of the past and the potential of the future. Only then can we navigate the complexities of modern life with hope and purpose.

Let us now turn to one of the most tangible ways this vision can manifest: rethinking our relationship with work and leisure.