Government Quote by Rutger Bregman
“Since the 70s and the 80s you see the rise of neoliberalism. The central dogma of neoliberalism was that most people are selfish. So, we started designing our institutions around that idea, our schools, our workplaces, our democracies. The government became less and less important.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Utopia for Realists, Rutger Bregman, 2016
Neoliberalism assumes selfishness, shaping institutions that minimize government role and prioritize market forces.
In simple terms: Policies built on self‑interest reduce public involvement.
Key Takeaway
Question the assumption of inherent selfishness.
Themes
politics
economics
society
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- public debate
- academic curricula
Key Concepts
neoliberalism
self‑interest
institutional design
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence challenges the selfishness premise?
- How could institutions change if altruism were central?
A Different Perspective
Ignores altruistic human behavior.
