Rutger Bregman

Rutger Bregman is a Dutch historian, author, and journalist whose optimistic, evidence-based books about human nature and society have made him one of the most influential public thinkers in Europe. His work challenges conventional assumptions about people — arguing that humans are fundamentally decent — and makes a compelling case for radical social reform. Born in 1988, Bregman grew up in the Netherlands and studied History at Utrecht University and University College London. He is a correspondent for the Dutch news platform De Correspondent, where his writing on economics, history, and ideas attracted a wide readership before his books brought him international attention. Utopia for Realists, published in Dutch in 2014 and in English in 2017, argued for universal basic income, a fifteen-hour work week, and open borders — ideas that might sound radical but which Bregman defended with historical evidence, economic research, and persuasive logic. The book became an international bestseller and established Bregman as a provocative but rigorous thinker willing to challenge the status quo. Humankind: A Hopeful History, published in 2019, was his biggest success. The book argues that the dominant view of human nature — that people are fundamentally selfish and need to be restrained by institutions — is wrong, and that most people, most of the time, are inclined toward cooperation, kindness, and trust. Bregman revisits famous studies and historical events — from the Stanford prison experiment to the real Lord of the Flies (a group of shipwrecked Tongan schoolboys who cooperated rather than descended into savagery) — to make his case. The book became a global bestseller, translated into over forty languages. Bregman gained further attention for his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he challenged billionaires about tax avoidance in a speech that went viral. The audiobook editions of Bregman's books are excellent, with narrators capturing the energy, clarity, and optimism of his arguments. His writing is inherently accessible and persuasive, making the audiobooks compelling listening for anyone interested in big ideas. Rutger Bregman lives in the Netherlands. His books and audiobooks are essential for anyone who wants to believe — with evidence — that human beings are better than we think, and that a fairer world is possible.