Another World Is Possible: Lessons for America from Around the Globe

by Natasha Hakimi Zapata

A Literary Hub Most Anticipated Book
Featured in The New York Times Book Review and NPR

Real-world solutions to America’s thorniest social problems—from housing to retirement to drug addiction—based on original reporting from around the world

A new generation of Americans has declared that another world is possible. And yet, the stubborn problems of inequality, climate change, and declining health seem as intractable as ever. Where might different answers lie?

Intrepid journalist Natasha Hakimi Zapata has traveled around the world, from Costa Rica to New Zealand, and Estonia to Singapore, uncovering how different countries solve the problems that plague the United States. Through in-depth reporting, including interviews with senior government officials, activists, industry professionals, and the ordinary people affected by their policies, Another World Is Possible examines innovative programs that address public health, social services, climate change, housing, education, addiction, and more.


In each instance Zapata provides a clear-eyed assessment of the history, challenges, cost-effectiveness, and real-world impact of these programs. The result is a compelling, frame-shifting account of how we might live differently and create a safer, healthier, more sustainable future.

A work of keen analysis as well as enormous heart and optimism, Another World Is Possible is destined to crack the mold of current debates, and to refresh our sense of what might be possible tomorrow.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History, Economics, World History, Public Policy, Finance

420 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 4, 2025

About the author

Natasha Hakimi Zapata is an award-winning journalist, translator, and university lecturer based in Europe. Her book "ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE: Lessons for America From Around the Globe" is forthcoming from The New Press (February, 2025), and her articles appear regularly in The Nation, In These Times, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and elsewhere. She is the former foreign editor of Truthdig and has received several Southern California Journalism and National Arts & Entertainment Journalism awards, most recently in 2025 for her immigration reporting.

Reviews

[alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting but I think the title did not reflect what it was actually about. I was expecting a bit more of a deep dive on how American thinking sometimes does not line up with other places or simply that it was going to be a deeper intuitive look into the US. However, it was mainly a very factual, almost wiki-like essays on different socialized programs that exist in other countries. It actually felt even more wiki or almost a student essay because a lot of the citations were news articles and web links. All in all, it was very digestible but I would say that if like me, you are quite well-read on current events and policy, then you won't get too much out of it.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and The New Press in exchange for an honest review

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I like the idea of examining countries around the world to see what we can learn from them. There are a lot of interesting case studies in this book and there are definitely inspirational examples that could be applied to America and other countries. The author deserves credit for not giving a superficial surface level glance at the countries, instead she goes into great detail about how the various programs work.

On the other hand, reading this book often felt like reading a government report. The attention to detail is a strength but also a weakness of the book and at times it was excessive. The writing is very dry and I found my attention frequently wandering. The author tries to break up the chapters with interviews with ordinary people talking about how the programs work but I never found them very interesting or enlightening.

The result was that I found the opening of each chapter interesting, but by the end of the chapter, I couldn't focus and was skimming pages.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the breakdowns of each of these programs that really are making a difference around the world. I loved how clear and concise the author was with the information. A great breakdown for anyone interested in how America could address some of the issues we are experiencing.

[Andy]

DNF. Not for me. Superficial survey of important facts. Could be a good intro to the concept.

[Deedi Brown (DeediReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Natasha Hakimi Zapata’s publishing team planned the release of Another World Is Possible for February 2025, they couldn’t have known it would come just as Trump took office for a second term and put out an avalanche of vindictive executive orders (ostensibly) dismantling any progress this country has made over the last decade or so. And yet, what perfect timing for a book that shows us that social and environmental progress is not only possible, not only well within humanity’s reach, but actively in practice elsewhere in the world as we speak.

Clearly organized, thoroughly researched, and approachably written, this book is a buoy in the storm. Zapata shows us the mechanisms of successful progressive initiatives around the world, such as universal healthcare, paid family leave, net neutrality, wildlife conservation, clean energy, addiction treatment, and more. Her skillful reportage balances the micro (real people she met who have shaped or been impacted by these policies) and the macro (the history of the policies and their resulting impacts). There were certain portions where I felt my attention wander — she’s at her strongest at the start and end of each chapter — but overall, I thought this was excellently done.

My biggest takeaway from this book is that in order for these important initiatives to succeed, they cannot be implemented in drips and drabs. It’s ALL or nothing. No single policy can succeed on its own; it is the combination of many policies working in concert toward the same end where the magic happens. And this is not only hopeful and optimistic, but also instructive and motivational in terms of what kinds of policies and proposals are worth fighting for here in the US.

[Thomas Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another World Is Possible: Lessons for America from around the World, Natasha Hakimi Zapata, 2025, 416 pages, ISBN 9781620978443, Dewey 306

Nine countries doing something better than the U.S.:

UK MEDICAL CARE

The UK National Health Service is free at point of use--even for foreigners visiting the UK. p. 3.

In 1945, the UK's first Labour-majority government began building a welfare state to fight the five evils--want, disease, ignorance, squalor, and idleness--that William Beveridge reported in 1942. p. 15. Benefits were never means-tested. p. 16. Treatment of disease and injury was a right, not a commodity. p. 17.

UK's National Health Service has been under threat from a succession of profiteer-serving administrations. Advocates have so far preserved most of it.

112 million Americans can't afford the medical care they need. p. 9. 41% of Americans are burdened with medical or dental debt. p. 36.

NORWAY FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Norway pays maternity and paternity leave.

SINGAPORE PUBLIC HOUSING

Singapore provides public housing.

FINLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Finnish teachers must hold master's degrees. p. 99.

Tuition is free through graduate school. p. 101

PORTUGAL DRUG POLICY

Portugal treats drug abuse as a public-health issue, not a law- enforcement issue. They get better results, for lower costs.

ESTONIA INTERNET

Estonia provides Internet service for all.

URUGUAY CLEAN ENERGY

Uruguay gets much of its energy from wind, some from solar. And some from burning wood--more environmentally-damaging even than burning coal, which the author seems not to know.

COSTA RICA BIODIVERSITY LAW

26% of Costa Rica is under environmental protections. p. 262.

NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSAL PENSION

New Zealand gives everyone over age 65 a pension, funded only by general taxation.

The author's article in /Current Affairs/: https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/s...

See also Michael Moore's brilliant 2015 film, /Where to Invade Next?/, similar to Hakimi Zapata's book: Moore "invades" many countries to take their ideas. The cases of Finland education and Portugal drug policy are the same in the book as in the movie:
https://m.imdb.com/review/rw3475263/

[Antonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of helping research this book, and I’m immensely proud of Natasha and the finished product. One of the biggest strengths of the book is Natasha’s abilities to weave together the stories of people’s lives with the facts and figures of the policies.

[n. · Rating 5 out of 5]

read after attending the authors talk at solid state books - fantastic, well written, compelling, and GOOD. really enjoyed the chapter on democracy and the internet in estonia, net neutrality forever!

much more hopeful than most nonfiction i read, was necessary

[Kelly M · Rating 3 out of 5]

the book was dragged out.

[Jt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow going. I think the content was worthwhile but more persuasive material is out there.

[Jeni · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Hakimi Zapata breaks down programs in a variety of countries that seem to have found excellent ways of handling aspects of life that impact everyone, under the premise that there may be things we as Americans can learn from these programs. Examples of programs Hakimi Zapata gives overviews of are national health care in the UK, internet access as a public right in Estonia, and Uruguay's management of multiple energy sources to ensure less reliance on others for energy. As someone who loves learning the details of different approaches to just about anything in life, this aspect alone made the book a delight for me. However, two additional things were my favorite aspects of this book. First of all, Hakimi Zapata does not just give a rosy overview of each program. Rather, she explores how the programs and policies came to be and openly discusses unexpected negatives and/or ways they fall short of their goals. In addition, Hakimi Zapata notes her attempt to ensure she chose programs from all areas of the world and openly acknowledges the lack of a program based in an African country, giving background on the country she originally was planning to include (Uganda for their refugee program) and the reasons she had to ultimately not include it as a full chapter once researching. I appreciated this transparency and awareness that not having an African country does limit her ultimate goal to reflect each continent. I appreciated that she took the time be share this information with her readers.

[Maryam ❥ tomesandtravels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another World Is Possible takes a refreshing, cross-comparative approach to some of the most pressing issues facing the U.S. today, from healthcare and housing to climate change and drug addiction. What I really appreciated was the book's ability to balance deep analysis with emotional resonance. The author does an excellent job of blending insightful, well-researched information with compelling, real-world stories from people who are living through these issues and policies in different countries.

The interviews woven throughout the chapters add a rich layer to the book, making the social and political challenges feel immediate and human. The depth and detail of the reporting are worth applauding—it’s evident that this book was built on careful research, with a keen understanding of both the history and the real impact of the solutions explored.

This book is both timely and critical, especially as we watch the systemic fractures in the U.S. widen. It's not just a diagnosis of what's wrong—it offers thoughtful, actionable solutions from around the world, giving readers a chance to rethink what's possible. If you're looking for a thought-provoking, heartening read that challenges the status quo and looks beyond the surface, this is definitely one to pick up.

[John Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks at nine countries around the world that solved issues that seem intractable for the US to resolve, and then showed how these countries did it. The issues range from universal health care to drug policies to the electrical grid to housing to education and more and the countries include five in Europe, two in Latin America and one each in Asia and Oceania. The book digs deep into the weeds of how they developed and maintain the implementation of policies on these issues, so at times, it is not the easiest to follow. I also wish that in a country so illiterate in its geographic knowledge they would have included a world map to show where these countries were located and maps of the locations mentioned in these countries. This book answers a need that so many of us who have lived in other countries in the world have known about for a long time, that there are alternative policies that work well outside the US that we could look to for guidance, but many people who have never left here may not have realized.

[Yev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t remember the last time I picked up a non-fiction book—I'm usually all about fiction—but this one might just make me reconsider my approach.

The author explores successful progressive public policies from around the world, and it’s clear that a great deal of research has gone into it. Despite the abundance of facts and data, the book remains engaging, thanks in part to the personal touch added by excerpts from various interviews. I came away having learned a lot, though I’ll admit that I’m already a firm believer in the merits of these types of policies, so I wasn’t exactly in need of persuasion.

In these challenging times, we need more voices like this one, advocating for change and progress.

(Disclaimer: I received this book for free via NetGalley.)

[Margo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to 4. The concept of this book is inspiring and urgent. Another world is possible and it already exists; the author proves this through discussing fascinating, impactful social programs and government initiatives. Strategically, she uses examples from conservative, capitalist countries and liberal, socialist countries in order to show that a better world is happening on all sides of the ideological spectrum. I think this author did brilliant research, but the chapters could have been half their length. Just wayyyyy too much that I got bored and skimmed through chunks of the book. I think she could have made a stronger, more concise argument if she edited this book down down DOWNNNN. All love though.

[Nicole Bjorklund · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm recommending this to everyone I know.

If you've ever seen Michael Moore's doc, Where To Invade Next?, this has similar vibes but updated for the context of today. Finland's education system has been my "Roman Empire" since learning about it (in said Michael Moore doc lol) - that is highlighted in this book, along with how various countries survive and thrive with policies that involve universal healthcare, paid family leave, renewable energy, biodiversity, etc.

This book was truly fun to read and has me inspired and energized in a time where I'm pretty short on hope for our country's future.

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️
A series of essays that look at other systems in the world that solve many of the problems that the US is struggling with. I liked a lot of these essays. They were so interesting, especially the ones with the UK's health system & Portugal's treatment of drug offenses. Other chapters were not as intriguing to me, but I think that it might be on a person to person level of interest.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Other countries' solutions to societal situations, problems, and funding the solutions is worthwhile reading. I don't know enough about economics to say whether it is possible to scale up to USA's situation Norway's family friendly child care policies (let alone whether it would be received well by our population), but learning about Norwau's solution can expand our thinking.

[Skyler Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book quite interesting. It was an exploration of the policies of different countries and how the US could implement them, if we were to reprioritize our budget and ultimately think of people as people and instead of people with moral failings. It’s really incredible what some of these countries have managed to achieve.

[Tom Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

8.8/10

In short, other countries offer their citizens a better future and a better present. To be clear, the book doesn't tear down America but rather gives concrete examples to argue that we can have better not because we can imagine better but because better already exists.

"It's already a reality within reach."

Brief notes from each example:
UK: NHS, the world's first Universal Healthcare system, emerged from the devastation of WW2
Norway: generous paid parental leave, one-hour breast feeding breaks each day for first year, extra sick days off for parents of children under 12, a monthly allowance for children, a monthly allowance for childcare for single parents, the right to kindergarten for children after they turn 1
Singapore: over 90% home ownership which particularly privileges married couples and families with affordable and equitable housing options
Finland: free, public, universal education and teachers have better pay, more autonomy, and better work-life balance and universal free school lunches
Portugal: drug decriminalization
Estonia: publicly owned digital infrastructure, robust digital services, internet for all, enhanced digital democratic participation
Uruguay: renewable energy
Costa Rica: ensuring biodiversity
New Zealand: universal pensions

I debated four or five stars on this one, but what tipped the scales for me was that Natasha did all the research for me, and I just needed to spot check it occasionally. This was such a huge time saver than trying to write blog posts about what benefits are available in different countries and then typing this out myself. I'd much rather recommend this book and talk about its findings to others.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and inspiring.
We are currently living in a time of chaos and change. I'm hoping that in this new era what will emerge from the rubble will be better solutions than the ones that primarily focused on wealth and power.

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of Case Studies from across the world. Great for audiences who are not experts but eager to learn. A great stepping stone book!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible global highlights, best practices at an international scale. Thought provoking.

[Denny Yu · Rating 3 out of 5]

As important as the content is, it read like 8 research papers back to back.

As an American, it is depressing reading every chapter and saying to yourself "Why can't we have this too"

[Annika Sethre-Hofstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible, inspiring, eye-opening!

[Wendee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish these things could happen in America

[Tim Hopmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, but ultimately arbitrary and, as a result, trivial.