If we assume the best in people, we can radically redesign our democracy and welfare states.
Rutger BregmanRead
A universal basic income would be the best way to give everyone the opportunity to do more unpaid but incredibly important work, such as caring for children and the elderly.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Universal basic income can empower people to engage in valuable unpaid work.
Rutger Bregman argues that implementing a universal basic income would enable individuals to pursue significant but often unpaid roles, such as caregiving. This would not only enhance societal well-being by allowing people to contribute in meaningful ways, but it would also recognize and validate the importance of work that is typically overlooked in traditional economic measures.
Themes
IncomeCaregivingOpportunityWorkSociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about social welfare programs, one might quote this to advocate for universal basic income.
More from Rutger Bregman
All quotes βSince long workdays lead to more errors, shorter workdays could reduce accidents. Overtime is deadly. Tired surgeons have been found to be more prone to slip'ups, and soldiers who get too little shuteye are more prone to miss targets.
Rutger BregmanRead
My hope is that the corona crisis will help bring us into a new age of cooperation and solidarity and a realization that we're in this together.
Rutger BregmanRead
This is what a crisis does: It makes you question the status quo. That doesn't mean that after a crisis we move into some kind of utopia. But it is an opportunity for political change.
Rutger BregmanRead
While it won't solve all the world's ills - and ideas such as a rent cap and more social housing are necessary in places where housing is scarce - a basic income would work like venture capital for the people.
Rutger BregmanRead
Believing in the good of humanity is a revolutionary act - it means that we don't need all those managers and CEO's, kings and generals. That we can trust people to govern themselves and make their own decisions.
Rutger BregmanRead
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