Humankind: A Hopeful History

Rutger Bregman’s Humankind takes aim at one of the most enduring and cynical views of human nature: that humans are fundamentally self-interested, aggressive, and competitive. The book presents a counterargument based on an array of historical, psychological, and social evidence that suggests the opposite is true—that humans, in their core nature, are good.

This notion of innate goodness is not new, but what makes Bregman’s approach noteworthy is his multi-disciplinary reach. He pulls from anthropology, psychology, history, and current events to build a robust case. One of the most cited examples in the book is that of a “real-life Lord of the Flies” scenario. Contrary to William Golding’s famous novel, in which stranded children turn into savages, the real-life account showed that children isolated on an uninhabited island cooperated to survive and maintained a democratic form of governance. This story serves as a microcosm of Bregman’s central thesis, illustrating how, when left to their own devices, humans can rely on their inherent decency and collaborate rather than tear each other apart.

Bregman also draws on scientific research and experiments in various fields to support his stance. Studies in behavioral economics and psychology often reveal that people are much more willing to cooperate, even at a personal cost, than classic economic theories would predict.