Utopia for Realists: And How We Can Get There - from the presenter of the 2025 BBC ‘Moral Revolution’ Reith lectures

Utopia for Realists: And How We Can Get There is a book by Rutger Bregman. It presents a case for visionary social ideas that the author argues are practical and achievable. Synopsis Bregman suggests that many major shifts in civilisation, including the end of slavery and the emergence of democracy, were once dismissed as unrealistic. He argues that new proposals, such as universal basic income and a fifteen-hour working week, could also become reality within our lifetime. The book draws on examples from history, including a Canadian city described as having eradicated poverty and Richard Nixon’s near introduction of a basic income for millions of Americans. It frames these discussions as a journey that moves beyond traditional left-right divides while introducing ideas the author believes are ready to be implemented.