Humankind: A Hopeful History

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Humankind: A Hopeful History is a short, readable non-fiction book by Dutch historian Rutger Bregman. First published in Dutch in 2019 as De Meeste Mensen Deugen, it was released in English by Bloomsbury in May 2021.

What it’s about
- Bregman argues that people are basically decent at heart. He challenges the idea that humans are naturally selfish or cruel and says a more hopeful view is both realistic and useful.
- The book looks at history, science, and philosophy to support this view. It surveys findings from psychology, biology, archaeology, anthropology, and economics.
- He uses the old debate about human nature—Rousseau’s idea that humans are good at heart vs. Hobbes’s view that life is “nasty, brutish, and short.” He sides with Rousseau, arguing that cooperation and kindness are stronger forces in human history than cynicism.

Why it matters
- The core message is practical: recognizing our basic decency can improve society. If we believe people can do good, we’re more likely to create policies that help, such as poverty relief or basic income.
- Bregman suggests shifting our expectations could reduce cynicism and encourage positive change.

Reception
- The book has been translated into more than 30 languages and became a New York Times bestseller in the U.S. paperback edition.
- Many reviews praise its hopeful outlook and big-picture thinking. Some critics say Bregman oversimplifies complex cultures or relies too much on selective sources. A few scholars argue that his dichotomy between “veneer theory” and Rousseau’s view is too neat. Bregman defends his approach, saying broader evidence supports his argument even if history is messy.

Bottom line
Humankind offers a hopeful case: people are capable of kindness and cooperation, and embracing that idea could lead to fairer policies and a better future.