If we assume the best in people, we can radically redesign our democracy and welfare states.
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A basic income can empower individuals similarly to how venture capital empowers startups, even if it doesn't address all societal issues.
In this quote, Rutger Bregman emphasizes the potential of a basic income as a transformative financial tool for individuals. He acknowledges that while a universal basic income won't resolve all societal problems, it can provide valuable support akin to venture capital, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation among the populace, particularly in contexts where resources are limited and housing struggles exist.
Themes
Basic IncomeVenture CapitalEmpowermentSocial HousingEconomic Support
In practice
Example use cases
During a public seminar on economic reform, one might use this quote to advocate for basic income policies.
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
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
We so often tend to think our democracies are ruled by procedures and laws, but they are also governed by implicit rules and assumptions and one of them is the ability to feel shame - that you can be shamed.
Rutger BregmanRead
Similar quotes
The economic miracle that has been the United States was not produced by socialized enterprises, by government-unon-industry cartels or by centralized economic planning. It was produced by private enterprises in a profit-and-loss system. And losses were at least as important in weeding out failures, as profits in fostering successes. Let government succor failures, and we shall be headed for stagnation and decline.
Milton FriedmanRead
Let us never forget this fundamental truth: the State has no source of money other than money which people earn themselves. If the State wishes to spend more it can do so only by borrowing your savings or by taxing you more. It is no good thinking that someone else will pay - that 'someone else' is you. There is no such thing as public money; there is only taxpayers' money.
Margaret ThatcherRead
Every dollar released from taxation that is spared or invested will help create a new job and a new salary.
John F. KennedyRead
I truly believe that capitalism was created to help people live better lives, but sadly over the years it has lost its way a bit. The short-term focus on profit has driven most businesses to forget about the important long-term role they have in taking care of people and the planet.
Richard BransonRead
We need the middle class to feel more confident about its prospects and about its future. We need to cut down on this anxiety that sees some people succeeding and the majority struggling - having to make choices between paying for their kids' education or saving for their own retirement.
Justin TrudeauRead
Governments must commit to sound economic and financial policies. This is how we ensure reform in the euro area - and our independence.
Mario DraghiRead