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squid_vicious's review against another edition
5.0
My father once told me that he felt I was very pessimistic, to which I replied that I was too much of a realist to be an optimist. Don’t get me wrong, when stuff is good, I am more than happy to celebrate it, but I’m also not the type to pretend everything is great when things are objectively terrible. The title “Utopia for Realists” grabbed me right away, because I’m pretty sure that if you ask any so-called realist, you’ll find they want nothing more than to believe the world could be a better place; they just can’t quite see how that might – realistically – happen.
Rutger Bregman’s thesis of how to make the world a better place in a very concrete way is threefold: installing a basic universal income, putting the average working week at about 15 hours, and opening the borders. If you are the type that sees the Scandinavian model in a good light, you won’t need much convincing to hop on his bandwagon, but he’ll nevertheless illustrate his points with solid facts, detailed research and very convincing arguments. Considering that I am one of those weirdos who thinks everyone deserves to be healthy, well-fed, decently housed and properly educated, I found so many things in this book interesting and inspiring.
Near the end of “Bullshit Jobs, A Theory” (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2780733097), David Graeber mentions the idea of universal basic income as one way to solve this economic and existential crisis that is the BS job conundrum. Bregman explores the concept to demonstrate that when people’s basic needs are met without them having to worry about how to pay the bills, they are happier, healthier and more productive members of their society – which stimulates their local economy much better that letting them live hand to mouth and burden the healthcare system because all they can afford is terrible food. The money from such programs is most often used to go to school, fix residences in need of repair, support a family member’s parental leave and start small businesses. One his of key points in addressing the various ways we can reduce and even eliminate poverty is that when you take care of people, either by giving them cash or putting a roof over their heads, the state saves money and wealth is created. Ergo, all of society stands to benefit (side note: with the pandemic, I think the need for that kind of universal basic income is more obvious than ever because no one should put their or their family’s health and lives at risk to pay the bills).
Bregman also sides with Graeber (he actually refers to his work in this section) on the topic of working fewer hours for greater productivity and a heathier amount of leisure – and thus time to do things that make life more enjoyable and meaningful. He addresses the “crisis” of automation, the disparity between what I’ll call useful jobs and somewhat less useful jobs.
I learned a lot in his section about opening up the borders. I recently read a book that mentions the absolutely terrible practice of human trafficking, and how a lot of border and economic regulations make such a practice almost unavoidable (see “McMafia” https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2755928406). Bregman looks at all the usual opposition to open borders, and why the overwhelming majority of them make no sense.
By the time the book wrapped up, I could see how his three suggestions were the most logical and sane ways to eliminate poverty and generally fix a lot of systemic problems that trickle down into all of our lives. Following his recommendation would not lead to a perfect world, but it would certainly improve it significantly, and more importantly, communally.
I appreciate that Bregman didn’t waste time or ink bashing his ideological opponents. Most books about making the world a better place tend to fill many pages describing why the conservatives are wrong and how terrible they are and offer very little in the way of concrete ideas, and this book is the refreshing opposite to that. I doubt that anyone picking it up needs to be convinced that people who think the poor are lazy are wrong, anyway. His tone is conversational, easy to follow and understand even if you don’t have a degree in economics – and he’s often quite funny. And sure, some elements are depressing to read about (like the story of how Nixon’s basic income bill was shot down by Randians using falsified science…), but those are things we need to talk about and think about if anything is going to change. The hardest thing, as he points out, is changing the way we think about certain problems. Cognitive dissonance is one of the biggest hurdle to overcome if the world is to change for the best.
One has to be fair and acknowledge Bregman’s euro-centric bias; he clearly thinks that the USA is a failed experiment (and this book was published 4 years ago, so heaven knows his opinion can’t possibly have improved). It doesn’t really matter that I agree with him, but it has to be kept in mind while reading this book. He also clearly hates bankers – another sentiment I can understand, but that nevertheless colors parts of his analysis.
Overall, a very interesting, easy to read and understand, engaging and ultimately hopeful book about the world we could have. Mario’s review is much more detailed than mine: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2654305956?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
Rutger Bregman’s thesis of how to make the world a better place in a very concrete way is threefold: installing a basic universal income, putting the average working week at about 15 hours, and opening the borders. If you are the type that sees the Scandinavian model in a good light, you won’t need much convincing to hop on his bandwagon, but he’ll nevertheless illustrate his points with solid facts, detailed research and very convincing arguments. Considering that I am one of those weirdos who thinks everyone deserves to be healthy, well-fed, decently housed and properly educated, I found so many things in this book interesting and inspiring.
Near the end of “Bullshit Jobs, A Theory” (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2780733097), David Graeber mentions the idea of universal basic income as one way to solve this economic and existential crisis that is the BS job conundrum. Bregman explores the concept to demonstrate that when people’s basic needs are met without them having to worry about how to pay the bills, they are happier, healthier and more productive members of their society – which stimulates their local economy much better that letting them live hand to mouth and burden the healthcare system because all they can afford is terrible food. The money from such programs is most often used to go to school, fix residences in need of repair, support a family member’s parental leave and start small businesses. One his of key points in addressing the various ways we can reduce and even eliminate poverty is that when you take care of people, either by giving them cash or putting a roof over their heads, the state saves money and wealth is created. Ergo, all of society stands to benefit (side note: with the pandemic, I think the need for that kind of universal basic income is more obvious than ever because no one should put their or their family’s health and lives at risk to pay the bills).
Bregman also sides with Graeber (he actually refers to his work in this section) on the topic of working fewer hours for greater productivity and a heathier amount of leisure – and thus time to do things that make life more enjoyable and meaningful. He addresses the “crisis” of automation, the disparity between what I’ll call useful jobs and somewhat less useful jobs.
I learned a lot in his section about opening up the borders. I recently read a book that mentions the absolutely terrible practice of human trafficking, and how a lot of border and economic regulations make such a practice almost unavoidable (see “McMafia” https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2755928406). Bregman looks at all the usual opposition to open borders, and why the overwhelming majority of them make no sense.
By the time the book wrapped up, I could see how his three suggestions were the most logical and sane ways to eliminate poverty and generally fix a lot of systemic problems that trickle down into all of our lives. Following his recommendation would not lead to a perfect world, but it would certainly improve it significantly, and more importantly, communally.
I appreciate that Bregman didn’t waste time or ink bashing his ideological opponents. Most books about making the world a better place tend to fill many pages describing why the conservatives are wrong and how terrible they are and offer very little in the way of concrete ideas, and this book is the refreshing opposite to that. I doubt that anyone picking it up needs to be convinced that people who think the poor are lazy are wrong, anyway. His tone is conversational, easy to follow and understand even if you don’t have a degree in economics – and he’s often quite funny. And sure, some elements are depressing to read about (like the story of how Nixon’s basic income bill was shot down by Randians using falsified science…), but those are things we need to talk about and think about if anything is going to change. The hardest thing, as he points out, is changing the way we think about certain problems. Cognitive dissonance is one of the biggest hurdle to overcome if the world is to change for the best.
One has to be fair and acknowledge Bregman’s euro-centric bias; he clearly thinks that the USA is a failed experiment (and this book was published 4 years ago, so heaven knows his opinion can’t possibly have improved). It doesn’t really matter that I agree with him, but it has to be kept in mind while reading this book. He also clearly hates bankers – another sentiment I can understand, but that nevertheless colors parts of his analysis.
Overall, a very interesting, easy to read and understand, engaging and ultimately hopeful book about the world we could have. Mario’s review is much more detailed than mine: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2654305956?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
dsudis's review against another edition
5.0
So good I am probably gonna need to buy a copy (I got it from the library to begin with)!
Bregman talks about the fact that on the one hand, we already live in what many in the past would have considered a utopia, with more food, safety, health, and material luxury than could have been imagined a few centuries ago--and on the other hand, we have now largely ceased to imagine ways we can make the world radically better from this point. He lays out the evidence demonstrating that measures like universal basic income, a 15-hour workweek, and open borders--all of which could benefit all of us in strictly economic, as well as making the world a better, happier place.
And for those who say that these are impossible dreams--he points out that sensible people once said the same about democracy, abolition, and women's suffrage. Every utopia is impossible until it's realized, and then it becomes inevitable. But first we have to be thinking about and planning for those impossible dreams.
Bregman talks about the fact that on the one hand, we already live in what many in the past would have considered a utopia, with more food, safety, health, and material luxury than could have been imagined a few centuries ago--and on the other hand, we have now largely ceased to imagine ways we can make the world radically better from this point. He lays out the evidence demonstrating that measures like universal basic income, a 15-hour workweek, and open borders--all of which could benefit all of us in strictly economic, as well as making the world a better, happier place.
And for those who say that these are impossible dreams--he points out that sensible people once said the same about democracy, abolition, and women's suffrage. Every utopia is impossible until it's realized, and then it becomes inevitable. But first we have to be thinking about and planning for those impossible dreams.
anna_amo's review against another edition
5.0
Such an energising read. I would like all the facts and arguments to stick in my brain now please!
I found especially confronting the bit at the end about progressives needing to be FOR something, not just behaving as underdog socialists conceding every argument. An exhortation to get hauling that Overton window back in the other direction!
I found especially confronting the bit at the end about progressives needing to be FOR something, not just behaving as underdog socialists conceding every argument. An exhortation to get hauling that Overton window back in the other direction!
luziajakob's review against another edition
1.0
An sich interessante Ideen, aber hatte beim Lesen das Gefühl, dass es eine sehr einseitige Perspektive war, weswegen es mir schwer gefallen ist, die Ideen anzunehmen oder als realistisch einzuordnen.
gemma_ocarolan's review against another edition
2.0
Not balanced and seems to form a preconceived view with facts from any time and any place to back it up. Disappointing.
buddhagem's review against another edition
3.0
My three star review is generous. It's influenced by the fact that the general ideas espoused are decent while the "realist" part is awful. Any decent person should be able to get behind a shorter work week, universal income, and a world without borders. The ideas are fine, and I won't spend much time here quibbling with the way they are presented. But remember this is a book for realists. It's supposedly a book aimed at pragmatists who are going to get things going; change the world!
First of all none of these ideas are new. None. And so obviously Bregman needs to explain why these things haven't come to fruition already. He rhetorically asks, "What are the socialists doing wrong? They're dull. They don't have command of the facts." And--here's the best one--"Those on the Left like losing." Let's unpack this a bit.
First off Bregman omits the incredible and savage violence meted out to socialists, communists, anarchists, labor leaders, feminists, indigenous movement leaders, black liberation leaders and the third world in general. The United States alone has invaded and overthrown over 40 democratically elected governments around the world since the second world war. Even as recently as 2012 when Clinton aided the Honduran military in overthrowing their democratically elected president who happened to try and raise the minimum wage a few pennies. Here in the bastion of Democracy we have programs like COINTEL Pro carried about by the FBI that used every dirty tool in the book including outright assassination to stymy any move toward a more progressive future. Leaders of these movements like Leonard Peltier--jailed--or Fred Hampton--murdered. Dead people do tend to be dull. Need I even mention the number of third world leaders that have been disposed, murdered or removed: Nasser, Lumumba, Mosedeq, Allende, Arbenz and many more. There is nothing real about omitting this very real violence, sabotage and subterfuge carried out to make sure the very things you are espousing in your book never come to fruition.
"They don't have command of the facts." This is just silly. As Michael Parenti has often pointed out the facts are Leftist. By that he means the rising inequality, the ecological crisis, the plight of the precarious worker here and abroad and a host of other social ills all require a turn to the Left. Luminaries on the Left from Noam Chomsky to Naomi Klein and a host of others not only have command of the facts but have written stacks of books on these facts. The left is drowning in facts.
"The Left like losing." This is just crazy once you understand what losing means in the real world. Losing means getting beaten by police. It means having your village raised by Contra Death squads financed by the CIA. It means being murdered in your sleep by the FBI. It means being imprisoned for exposing war crimes committed by the United States Government. Bregman naively assumes that if we were just more charismatic, had better command of the facts and didn't like losing so much that miraculously we could overcome the most violent and sociopathic ruling elite the world has ever known. That's not realistic.
And while, yes, the various policy ideas espoused here are realistic and would go a long way toward making this a better world, it's the very unrealistic ways in which Bregman thinks this could happen that hurt this book. He mentions organizing once in passing. He briefly mentions the need for a new labor movement. That is, the most important things we could be doing to push forward these ideas--organizing and revitalizing the labor movement--are only mentioned in passing.
This book should be more accurately titled, "Utopia for dreamers" because there is nothing realistic about ignoring the fact that we currently live in a Plutocracy that is ruled by an interlocking set of institutions that will do anything--including killing the very planet we all depend on--in order to protect their class privilege.
If you're not familiar with the arguments for a shorter work week, a world without borders or universal basic income there is good information here. But don't expect any realistic ideas for how we might implement them.
First of all none of these ideas are new. None. And so obviously Bregman needs to explain why these things haven't come to fruition already. He rhetorically asks, "What are the socialists doing wrong? They're dull. They don't have command of the facts." And--here's the best one--"Those on the Left like losing." Let's unpack this a bit.
First off Bregman omits the incredible and savage violence meted out to socialists, communists, anarchists, labor leaders, feminists, indigenous movement leaders, black liberation leaders and the third world in general. The United States alone has invaded and overthrown over 40 democratically elected governments around the world since the second world war. Even as recently as 2012 when Clinton aided the Honduran military in overthrowing their democratically elected president who happened to try and raise the minimum wage a few pennies. Here in the bastion of Democracy we have programs like COINTEL Pro carried about by the FBI that used every dirty tool in the book including outright assassination to stymy any move toward a more progressive future. Leaders of these movements like Leonard Peltier--jailed--or Fred Hampton--murdered. Dead people do tend to be dull. Need I even mention the number of third world leaders that have been disposed, murdered or removed: Nasser, Lumumba, Mosedeq, Allende, Arbenz and many more. There is nothing real about omitting this very real violence, sabotage and subterfuge carried out to make sure the very things you are espousing in your book never come to fruition.
"They don't have command of the facts." This is just silly. As Michael Parenti has often pointed out the facts are Leftist. By that he means the rising inequality, the ecological crisis, the plight of the precarious worker here and abroad and a host of other social ills all require a turn to the Left. Luminaries on the Left from Noam Chomsky to Naomi Klein and a host of others not only have command of the facts but have written stacks of books on these facts. The left is drowning in facts.
"The Left like losing." This is just crazy once you understand what losing means in the real world. Losing means getting beaten by police. It means having your village raised by Contra Death squads financed by the CIA. It means being murdered in your sleep by the FBI. It means being imprisoned for exposing war crimes committed by the United States Government. Bregman naively assumes that if we were just more charismatic, had better command of the facts and didn't like losing so much that miraculously we could overcome the most violent and sociopathic ruling elite the world has ever known. That's not realistic.
And while, yes, the various policy ideas espoused here are realistic and would go a long way toward making this a better world, it's the very unrealistic ways in which Bregman thinks this could happen that hurt this book. He mentions organizing once in passing. He briefly mentions the need for a new labor movement. That is, the most important things we could be doing to push forward these ideas--organizing and revitalizing the labor movement--are only mentioned in passing.
This book should be more accurately titled, "Utopia for dreamers" because there is nothing realistic about ignoring the fact that we currently live in a Plutocracy that is ruled by an interlocking set of institutions that will do anything--including killing the very planet we all depend on--in order to protect their class privilege.
If you're not familiar with the arguments for a shorter work week, a world without borders or universal basic income there is good information here. But don't expect any realistic ideas for how we might implement them.
virtually_alex_beige's review against another edition
4.0
Hey okay! A pleasant historical introduction to a utopian projects like the 15-hour work week and UBI for you to whip out at Thanksgiving dinner as proof that these ideas are already historically viable. Not a book for depth, though. Also, it's more so an account of ideas rather than actual praxis.
But very nice still. I'm not mad at it.
But very nice still. I'm not mad at it.
lfagundes's review against another edition
4.0
4.5. Not new ideas for me, but it's always nice to see such great, helpful ideas spelled out simply and rationally. EVERY ONE READ THIS SO WE CAN FIX THE DAMN WORLD OK? Thanks.
kkellz19's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75