Utopia for Realists
Utopia for Realists: How We Can Build the Ideal World is a book[1] by Rutger Bregman (born 1988). It was originally written as articles in Dutch for a virtual journal,[2] and since compiled 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 an three core ideas:
- a universal and unconditional basic income paid to everybody
- a short working week of fifteen-hours
- open borders worldwide with the free exchange of citizens between all nations
Rationale
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 race.[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 nations as well as between developed countries and their developing neighbours.
Justification
Each idea is supported by multiple academic studies and anecdotal evidence including numerous success stories. For example, it quotes
- Richard Nixon's 1968 plan for a basic income for Americans[7]
- A Federal project in city of Dauphin, Manitoba once eradicated poverty[8]
- The perceived success of the Schengen Agreement[9]
Conclusion
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Bregman points out that many imperatives of modern law were once highly controversial proposals, perhaps even abhorrent innovations:
The author finally tries to provide a critical balance between socialist ideals of caring and sharing, the conservative impetus of directive leadership, and liberal concepts of equality and freedom. He claims there are proven solutions waiting to be implemented, lacking only political courage and financial backing.
See also
- Disclosing New Worlds
- Social justice
- Distribution of wealth
- Income distribution
- Protestant work ethic
- Georgism
- Critical theory
- Critical thinking
- Utopian socialism
- Ethical socialism
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ This book originated on The Correspondent
- ^ World Economic Forum Growth Development Index 2017
- ^ OECD:Trade Between Developed And Developing Countries': The Decade Ahead
- ^ Robotics and automation, employment, and aging Baby Boomers
- ^ EconomicPolicy Institute, 2015:The decline in labor’s share of corporate income
- ^ Jacobin:Nixon’s Basic Income Plan
- ^ Huffington Post;A Canadian City Once Eliminated Poverty And Nearly Everyone Forgot About It
- ^ The Conversation (website): Business will suffer if border crossings between European neighbours are shut