#Utopia for realists review series#
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Below are some question that I think the book did not address clearly: In addition, Bregman’s concepts are presented from a very Western-centric standpoint and are not challenged from developing countries perspectives. Most of the book focuses on “ the why” and “ the what” and less and on “ the how”. It looks great but many questions remain without clear answers … Open borders for people would make the world as a whole roughly twice as rich and would boost global wealth by roughly 65 trillion US dollars Bregman argues that open borders could wipe out all poverty and raise everybody in Africa above poverty line. This is the definitely the most utopian proposal.

#Utopia for realists review free#

Third utopia: Open borders worldwide with the free movement of citizens between all states What is more, Bregman argues that a shorter working week is needed to deal with the erosion of jobs caused by automation. It also fits with the needs of an aging population. Since the 1980s, economic growth has translated, however, into more working hours instead of more leisure leading to stress and overwork, which actually reduces productivity.Īccording to Bregman, working less reduces stress, ecological footprint, inequality and unemployment, among others. In 1930, Keynes predicted that we would be working 15 hours a week by 2030. Second utopia: A short working week of fifteen hours Rather than discouraging work, UBI would instead enable people to seek jobs with true opportunities for growth and advancement. Indeed, simply giving people free money, leads to reductions in crime and health problems, to improved school performance, to better mental health and to economic growth. Bregman’s underlying point is that poverty reduction pays for itself, socially and economically. The most developed of three ideas is the proposal for a universal basic income (UBI).

Open borders worldwide with the free movement of citizens between all statesįirst utopia: A universal and unconditional basic income paid to everybody.

A universal and unconditional basic income paid to everybody.

Gross domestic product: GDP is criticized as a popular indicator to measure economic progress.įinally, the author proposes three recommendations (utopia) to rebuilt modern society and promote a more productive and equitable life:.

Bregman mentions that 37% of British workers believe that their jobs are worthless and have no value to society

“Bullshit” jobs: Bregman cites David Graeber’s work on the existence and societal harm of meaningless jobs.

In the latter case, the city was on its knees after few days of strike, while in Ireland, the country continued to function normally over several months during the strike. Wages not reflecting the value of the work: Bregman cites the social effects of strikes of bankers in Ireland and garbage men in New York City in the 60s and 70s.Raising inequalities : He is in line with the ideas of Thomas Picketty ( cf.The book starts with highlighting the benefits of free trade and globalization in terms of economic prosperity and social progress in the last 200 years: life expectancies, technological advances, military conflicts at historic lows, unprecedented levels of wealth …Then, Bregman presents the flaws within the existing deregulated neoliberal economic model, such as :

#Utopia for realists review series#

Originally written as a series of articles in Dutch, the book has been published in several languages. Utopia for Realists is a book by Dutch historian Rutger Bregman.