Rutger Bregman, a Dutch historian and advocate for social reform, discusses the crucial need for moral ambition in addressing global challenges. He delves into the founding of his School for Moral Ambition, emphasizing learning from history to inspire modern activism. Topics like universal basic income and a 15-hour workweek highlight pragmatic solutions to poverty. Rutger shares thoughts on finding purpose beyond mere happiness, underscoring the importance of community-driven efforts and the role of political engagement in effecting meaningful change.
Rutger Bregman argues that true moral ambition involves taking practical actions for social improvement rather than merely raising awareness of issues.
His initiative, The School for Moral Ambition, aims to inspire individuals to transition from high-paying jobs to impactful careers that address societal challenges.
Bregman highlights the importance of collective action and strategic planning, drawing parallels between historical movements and current efforts to tackle poverty and environmental issues.
Deep dives
Moral Ambition and Action
Rutger Bregman emphasizes the significance of moral ambition, advocating for individuals to take meaningful action as opposed to merely raising awareness about social issues. He introduces the concept of the School for Moral Ambition, designed to empower those feeling unfulfilled in their high-paying jobs to pursue work that makes a positive impact. The school, which initially launched in Amsterdam, aims for global outreach, with plans for a New York chapter to harness the momentum from his recent book publicity. By inspiring enterprising individuals to transition into more meaningful roles, Bregman believes he can foster a community committed to creating real change.
Lessons from History: The Abolitionist Movement
Bregman draws parallels between the historical abolitionist movement and current efforts to combat pressing issues such as poverty and factory farming. He explores why the British abolitionists succeeded while others failed, attributing their success to pragmatic strategies that garnered widespread support. This historical context serves as a blueprint for today's activists, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and achievable goals rather than a purist approach that may hinder progress. By reflecting on the success of others, Bregman encourages the current generation to adopt similar maneuvers to enact significant change.
Pragmatism Over Idealism
In discussing his earlier proposals such as universal basic income and open borders, Bregman reveals a more pragmatic outlook grounded in feasibility rather than unattainable ideals. He acknowledges that while these concepts are essential to address societal inequalities, pushing for policies without political viability is ineffective. For universal basic income, he highlights the growing evidence showing its potential for alleviating poverty, particularly in low-income countries, while recognizing the challenges of implementing such initiatives in affluent societies. By shifting focus to immediate, realizable actions, Bregman advocates for a balanced approach between idealism and pragmatism.
Redefining Success
Bregman argues for a redefinition of success that prioritizes moral impact over traditional measures of wealth and status. He acknowledges that many individuals, particularly in prestigious institutions, are often driven by ambitions that don't contribute meaningfully to society. By creating the School for Moral Ambition, he aspires to cultivate a new generation of leaders who view their achievements through the lens of their potential for significant social contributions. This shift in perspective not only aims to mobilize talent for altruistic endeavors but also seeks to demonstrate that impactful work can be fulfilling and rewarding.
The Power of Collective Action
Bregman emphasizes the importance of collective action in addressing systemic issues such as poverty and environmental degradation through the lens of historical movements. He cites the role of collective organizing and moral urgency in the abolitionist movement and suggests that similar strategies could be employed today. By harnessing the energy and ambition of individuals, the movement for social change can gather momentum and achieve substantial victories. He encourages the next generation to collaborate and band together, instilling the belief that together they can effectuate the necessary changes for a more just world.
Rutger Bregman is a Dutch historian, author, and public intellectual renowned for his progressive ideas on social and economic reform.
Rutger emphasises that living well means taking meaningful, practical action to address global issues—not just raising awareness. Drawing from his books Humankind and his initiative The School for Moral Ambition, he advocates for channeling ambition into social impact, encouraging career shifts toward solving major problems. He promotes ideas like universal basic income, effective altruism, and combating factory farming, while exploring how power dynamics influence moral choices.
