
Utopia for Realists: And How We Can Get There (Paperback)
Rutger Bregman (author)Published: 08/02/2018
Let’s start with a little history lesson: in the past, everything was worse.
We live in a time of unprecedented upheaval. Everywhere there are pressing questions: about the future, society, work, happiness, family and money. Yet no political party of the right or left is providing us with answers.
Rutger Bregman, a bestselling Dutch historian, explains that it needn't be this way. Bregman shows that we can construct a society with visionary ideas that are, in fact, wholly implementable. Every milestone of civilization - from the end of slavery to the beginning of democracy - was once considered a utopian fantasy. New utopian ideas such as universal basic income and a 15-hour work week can become reality in our lifetime.
This guide to a revolutionary yet achievable utopia is supported by multiple studies, lively anecdotes and numerous success stories. From a Canadian city that once completely eradicated poverty, to Richard Nixon's near implementation of a basic income for millions of Americans, Bregman takes us on a journey through history, beyond the traditional left-right divide, as he introduces ideas whose time has come.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN: 9781408893210
Number of pages: 336
Weight: 275 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
'[a] book written with verve, wit and imagination. Listen out for Rutger Bregman. He has a big future shaping the future.' - Andrew Anthony, The Observer
'If you're fed up with moaning, you owe it to yourself to read this book.' - The Evening Standard
'Bregman writes with energy, verve and panache ... Utopia for Realists will probably be a terrific hit.' - Ian Martin,The Times
'Bregman's book is breezy, wide-ranging and littered with interesting examples and research. It has something of the flavour of Freakonomics.' - The Sunday Times
'Energetic, passionate and rigorously intelligent. His commonsensical ideas deserve to be gratefully welcomed.' - Sunday Express
'A brilliantly written page-turner. It goes into serious depth, without ever feeling dense, as it weaves its way through the challenges we face and onto proposals for doing things differently.' - Caroline Lucas, Independent
'The questions that Bregman poses must be addressed, and urgently.' - The New Scientist
You may also be interested in...
“This book will change the way you are thinking....”
The utopia in the title refers to a series of answers to problems facing the world today and a vision for a more equal society.
This book doesn't contain brand new ideas. Rather it updates established ideas for...
More
“Revolutionary”
Comprehensively changed my view on politics and economy to one that keeps you sane during this time of trouble. Really easy to read, really worth reading.
“highly entertaining and thought provoking!”
I recommend this book to anyone even vaguely interested in the concepts of basic income or the 15-hour work week - wether you're a sceptic, an opposer or agree with it. It is well written in understandable... More
Please sign in to write a review
Sign In / Register
Sign In
Download the Waterstones App
Would you like to proceed to the App store to download the Waterstones App?