[#6] Utopia for Realists by Rutger Bregman

​📌 Join our book club community

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​🌟🌟You can also listen to these two interviews/talks with the author, these are like 1 hour long and will be good enough to prepare for the discussion.

1. ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x2vh5eMjGI&pp=ygUTdXRvcGlhIGZvciByZWFsaXN0cw%3D%3D

2. ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0DdkN-Ulxw&pp=ygUTdXRvcGlhIGZvciByZWFsaXN0cw%3D%3D

​We are meeting at Manny's in Mission. Here's a description for "Utopia for Realists" by Rutger Bregman:

​In "Utopia for Realists," Dutch historian Rutger Bregman offers a bold reimagining of society's potential, challenging readers to dream beyond current economic and social constraints. He argues that seemingly radical ideas—like universal basic income, a fifteen-hour workweek, and open borders—are not only possible but necessary for human progress.

​Bregman contends that every major societal milestone, from ending slavery to establishing democracy, was once considered a utopian fantasy. By presenting compelling historical evidence and innovative policy proposals, he demonstrates how transformative ideas can become reality. The book serves as a provocative call to action, encouraging readers to break free from neoliberal thinking and imagine more equitable, humane economic systems.

​Drawing on examples ranging from a Canadian city that eliminated poverty to Richard Nixon's near-implementation of basic income, Bregman shows that radical change is not only conceivable but potentially imminent. He challenges the notion that meaningful societal progress must be slow, arguing that ideological shifts can happen rapidly when we dare to think differently.

​At its core, "Utopia for Realists" is an optimistic manifesto that suggests we have the wealth, technology, and knowledge to create a dramatically better world—if only we can overcome our limited imagination and risk-averse mindset.