Get started

Utopia for Realists

Rutger Bregman

Rethink progress through bold ideas like universal basic income and shorter workweeks that could create a fairer, more prosperous society.

21 min5 Chapters
Utopia for Realists

Listen to the intro

1:01

Outline

What's it about?

Utopia for Realists (2016) argues that bold ideas once considered unrealistic can become reality, as many past reforms did. Rutger Bregman makes the case for a universal basic income, a shorter working week, and more open cooperation between countries, supporting his arguments with historical examples and research. The book encourages readers to imagine a better future and work toward it.

Key ideas

  • Ideas that once seemed unrealistic have become reality before, as many past reforms show.
  • Rutger Bregman argues for a universal basic income as a bold way to build a fairer society.
  • A shorter working week is presented as a practical proposal, not just a dream.
  • The book calls for more open cooperation between countries.
  • Bregman backs his arguments with historical examples and research, and urges readers to imagine a better future and work toward it.

About the author

Rutger Bregman is a Dutch historian, journalist, and author known for his optimistic and thought-provoking ideas about society. He has written for leading publications and became internationally known for his talks on inequality. His books include Utopia for Realists, Humankind, and Moral Ambition.

Questions people ask

What is the main idea of Utopia for Realists?

The book argues that bold ideas once considered unrealistic can become reality, as many past reforms did. Rutger Bregman applies this to a universal basic income, a shorter working week, and more open cooperation between countries.

Who is Utopia for Realists for?

It suits readers interested in economics, society and how progress happens, and anyone who wants to think critically about the future. It encourages readers to imagine a better future and work toward it.

How long does the Durar summary of Utopia for Realists take?

The Durar summary takes about 15 minutes to read or listen to. It covers Bregman's case for a universal basic income, a shorter working week and wider cooperation between countries.

You May Also Like

Critical Thinking

Richard Paul and Linda Elder

LIT

Jeff Karp

First Things First

Stephen R. Covey, A. Roger Merrill and Rebecca R. Merrill

Cosmos

Carl Sagan

More in Philosophy

Four Thousand Weeks

Oliver Burkeman

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho

Spirit Hacking

Shaman Durek

Truth

Hector MacDonald

The Prophet

Kahlil Gibran

World Order

Henry Kissinger

The Age of AI

Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt & Daniel Huttenlocher

Religion for Atheists

Alain de Botton

Get the key ideas from the world's best books in about 15 minutes

Free account · One free summary every day