Utopia for Realists

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER – FROM THE 2025 BBC REITH LECTURER

'Listen out for Rutger Bregman. He has a big future shaping the future' Observer

'A more politically radical Malcolm Gladwell' New York Times

'The Dutch wunderkind of new ideas' Guardian

In Utopia for Realists, Rutger Bregman shows that we can construct a society with visionary ideas that are, in fact, wholly implementable. Every milestone of civilisation – 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 fifteen-hour work week can become reality in our lifetime.

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 divides, as he introduces ideas whose time has come.

As the 2025 BBC Reith Lecturer, Rutger Bregman will present 'Moral Revolution', a four part series:

-A Time of Monsters

-How To Start a Moral Revolution

-A Realist's Utopia

-Zoom Out

Available to listen on BBC Four