Utopia for Realists
by Rutger Bregman · first published 2016
61% recommend30% neutral9% critical
Why HN recommends it
Readable, accessible case for universal basic income and giving cash to the poor, drawing on historical examples and trials showing it doesn't discourage work; suits anyone curious about poverty policy.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
From a universal basic income to a 15-hour workweek, from a world without borders to a world without poverty – it’s time to return to utopian thinking. Rutger Bregman takes us on a journey through history, beyond the traditional left-right divides, as he introduces ideas whose time has come. Utopia for Realists is one of those rare books that takes you by surprise and challenges what you think you know.
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I'm a great believer in the power of cash to solve problems. Rutger Bregman's Utopia For Realists opened my eyes on this matter. The minority of "rotten apples" only spoil the concept if we let them - we can view their potential misuse as part of the operating cost of helping a large majority of people…
on “When Stockton gave people cash, they got jobs” ↗For anyone who wants to investigate the connection between poverty and society further, I can highly recommend, Rutger Bregman's book 'Utopia for realists'. It is funny to see cases in history where well researched,cost effective and progressive social programs have been stopped due to plain prejudice from those in power. I keep hearing Ayn Rand mentioned…
on “Poverty is not a personal choice, but a reflection of society” ↗…trend. See for example The Better Angels of Our Nature: A History of Violence and Humanity, by Steven Pinker https://www.amazon.com/Better-Angels-Our-Nature-Violence/dp/... Or the first chapter of Utopia for Realists: How We Can Build the Ideal World, by Rutger Bregman https://www.amazon.com/Utopia-Realists-Build-Ideal-World/dp/...
on “Mars likely to have enough oxygen to support life: study” ↗Indeed. I'm inspired by Rutger Bregman who famously states in his book Utopia For Realists: > "It's more expensive to sustain poverty than it is to eradicate it" When is enough, enough? Do you really need that other billion when you already have a few? Giving money to the poor works: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/mar/06/utopia...
on “WhatsApp's CEO Is Suddenly Leaving Facebook. It Could Cost Him $1B” ↗…entrepreneurship, better education, better health, better parenting, and better economic outcomes for the locales applying it. It saves money. See Rutger Bregman’s Talks and research as well as his book Utopia for realists.
on “Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not” ↗…Digital Minimalism: Cal Newport - How Democracies Die: Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt - How to Disappear: Akiko Bush - Bullshit Jobs: David Graeber - Its basic Income: Amy Downes and Stewart Lansley - Utopia for Realists: Rutger Bergman - Human Rigths and the uses of History, Samuel Moyn - Too much Stuff: Kozo Yamamura
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade?” ↗You should read Utopia for Realists: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0316471917 It addresses a lot of concerns about UBI in a very accessible way. UBI isn't a new concept and it has been well studied. (It was almost implemented in the USA as…
on “3.28M file for U.S. jobless benefits” ↗Regarding the sustainability argument, there is actually pretty solid evidence from previous trials that it it does not dis-incentivise work. It's worthwhile reading Rutger Bregman's "Utopia for Realists", many people do not now that it was Nixon of all people who wanted to implement a UBI, in the initial voting the democrats rejected it because they thought it was too low (and likely also because they…
on “France is testing free public transport” ↗…class’ folks who can’t manage their finances as folks who simply lack character. In the words of Rutger Bregman... poverty isn’t a lack of character, it’s a lack of cash (recommended read: his book ‘Utopia for Realists’) And don’t forget, what this pandemic has showed us is that lots of working class folks really are essential workers. Yes, there are some folks who are lazy, but you find that in all sectors. Letting…
on “Amazon is using algorithms with little human intervention to fire Flex workers” ↗Rutger Bregman's "Utopia for Realists", changed my political outlook completely
on “Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before?” ↗Utopia for Realists, by Rutger Bregman
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life?” ↗…choice, not less. Direct cash infusions to households would not affect inflation. Giant bailouts for huge corporations and for huge corrupt political super pacs definitely does though. Read the book Utopia For Realists for the chapter on direct cash to households and the compiled evidence done over decades in the United States and even Canada.
on “'Children of Men' is happening” ↗> High inequality does not mean low quality of life. There's research to indicate that it does, once you've surpassed a certain level of wealth. I've been reading Utopia For Realists, which does a very readable job of summarizing work on the topic, and one publication cited that is available online is: https://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/default/files/jrf/migrated/file... I'd also suggest…
on “Americans Now Need at Least $500k a Year to Enter Top 1%” ↗In Utopia for Realists, a book full off UBI case studies, this question is addressed multiple times and yes, UBI is a money saver for governments.
on “Finnish basic income pilot improved wellbeing, study finds” ↗This would be my recommendation too, also Utopia for Realists his earlier book is a great read.
on “Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?” ↗