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Glimpses of Utopia: Real ideas for a fairer world
It’s hard to be excited about the future right now. Climate change is accelerating; inequality is growing; politics is polarised; institutions designed to protect us are strained; technology is disrupting the world of work. We need to upgrade the operating systems of our society. Jess Scully asks, What can we do? The answer plenty! All over the world, people are refusing the business-as-usual mindset and putting humans back into the civic equation, reimagining work and care, finance and government, urban planning and communication, to make them better and fairer for all. Meet the care workers reclaiming control in India and Lebanon, the people turning slums into safe havens in Kenya and Bangladesh, and champions of people-powered digital democracy in Iceland and Taiwan. There are radical bankers funding renewable energy in the USA and architects redesigning real estate in Australia, new payment systems in Italy and the Philippines that keep money in local communities, and innovators redesigning taxation to cut pollution and incentivise creative solutions. Glimpses of Utopia is a call for optimism. Humans everywhere are rising up to confront our challenges with creativity, resilience and compassion. Harnessing technology and imagination, we can reshape our world to be fair and sustainable. This book shows us how.
320 pages, Paperback
Published August 4, 2020
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504 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 16, 2021
When I chose this recently at the bookstore, two things, at least consciously, were happening in my mind. Firstly, the cover, not to sound too simple-minded or anything, was eye-catchingly beautiful - so much so that it diverted me from Men Who Hate Women. Secondly, as both books would demonstrate, I was feeling in a particularly open-minded mood. Actually, wait. I've also been angry about all the bullshit in America recently - Biden's electoral defeat of Trump, the vitriolic smugness of the Left in ignoring half the country's grievances, the hypocrisy and long-term memory loss exhibited by both sides in the ridiculous game of modern democratic politics. My strategy to not becoming the frothing idiot the other side wants to see of conservatives has been to take a step back from the whole damned thing. That is, by not exposing myself to the idiots on social media and preferably avoiding the mainstream news.
Furthermore, I am generally not a hateful person and, if it weren't for the fact they both can't quite help rubbing me the wrong way, I feel like, if I wasn't so sure my side was right, I would be quite willing to give Biden and Harris the chance the lefties never would have given Trump in a million years (hell, they'd choose the warmongering Bush over Trump because initiating two unprovoked invasions is dwarfed by saying mean things in private conversation). But anyway, I digress.
I thought this book might shed some light on just what the hell kind of "utopia" modern left-wing thinkers are actually envisioning when they talk about it in any serious capacity. I take it C.H.O.P. in Seattle isn't the standard template?
Anyway, it's nice to know your political opposites aren't quite as stupid or evil as they're made out to be - if there is such a case to be argued. And by and large, this book does pretty well in communicating a vision of the future that doesn't sound terrible.
It's all very, very idealistic. Scully has done her research and branched out into a number of different areas where society can be driven towards greater fairness and compassion, prosperity and unification. But all the same, it feels like a hodgepodge (is that the word?) of nice ideas that may or may not flourish in the soil of other cultural landscapes. She also points to a bunch of individuals, groups or national governments and exalts certain policy decisions they make, or values they espouse, without accounting for any underlying factors she seems to think can be done away with. For instance, the only time religious communities are mentioned is with reference to the Sharia Law distribution of tax money. Nothing of the spiritual nourishment of a Muslim community is looked at. She merely likes that people in these cultures are, apparently, generally alright with their money being syphoned off into so many social justice causes, without acknowledging the importance of religious duty, and without questioning how effectively this might be introduced in other countries where there is much less unanimous devotion to any particular set of religious values.
Otherwise, she thinks we can learn from the (presumably Christian) "Church", but this is nothing more substantial than how to bring so many cultures and backgrounds together. Nothing, in the case of Christianity or Islam, is said about the role faith and good works could (and undoubtedly will) play in the future.
Otherwise, this book is basically a well-presented, unobnoxious manifesto for how to create a better society, once we have shed ourselves of the outdated evils of capitalism. It's not nearly as in-your-face, superior than thou bolstering as it could have been. And Scully makes an earnest case for civil discourse rather than echo chambers and partisanship - a position I think is unequivocally right-leaning to today's standards.
I appreciated that this book wasn't just another unhinged rant against Trump or white people. And, as seems to be the case more in Australia than England or America, her ideas are much more centre-based, constructive and thoughtful. Though I am a solid conservative on social issues, I do have much more sympathy for the economic concerns driving the proper Left (that is, the actual progressives, not the fake ones of which I think Biden, Obama and the Clintons are a part).
It's a shame that there are almost no bigger-name conservatives in the Australian media these days that aren't dickheads. Though in my early days I flirted with liking them, I now cannot stand Mark Latham, I think Andrew Bolt is an idiot and Cory Bernardi took advantage of his base. Greg Sheridan is great, but he's also not nearly as hardline conservative as his detractors seem to think. Meanwhile, despite myself, I find Waleed Aly, Annabel Crabb, sometimes Kevin Rudd and certainly Julia Gillard to be perfectly likeable. Jess Scully is more like this as well. I would be nothing but obtusely disingenuous to come away from this book dismissing her as a liberal lunatic.
This book is a perfectly decent one, with a good humanitarian vision for our future. It just seems, despite it endorsement of conversation, to think there ultimately isn't anything worth hearing from the other side. It's just that pretending to respect these other opinions is a nice thing to do. I guess the majority of the world-wide populace are probably willing to do much less.
Furthermore, I am generally not a hateful person and, if it weren't for the fact they both can't quite help rubbing me the wrong way, I feel like, if I wasn't so sure my side was right, I would be quite willing to give Biden and Harris the chance the lefties never would have given Trump in a million years (hell, they'd choose the warmongering Bush over Trump because initiating two unprovoked invasions is dwarfed by saying mean things in private conversation). But anyway, I digress.
I thought this book might shed some light on just what the hell kind of "utopia" modern left-wing thinkers are actually envisioning when they talk about it in any serious capacity. I take it C.H.O.P. in Seattle isn't the standard template?
Anyway, it's nice to know your political opposites aren't quite as stupid or evil as they're made out to be - if there is such a case to be argued. And by and large, this book does pretty well in communicating a vision of the future that doesn't sound terrible.
It's all very, very idealistic. Scully has done her research and branched out into a number of different areas where society can be driven towards greater fairness and compassion, prosperity and unification. But all the same, it feels like a hodgepodge (is that the word?) of nice ideas that may or may not flourish in the soil of other cultural landscapes. She also points to a bunch of individuals, groups or national governments and exalts certain policy decisions they make, or values they espouse, without accounting for any underlying factors she seems to think can be done away with. For instance, the only time religious communities are mentioned is with reference to the Sharia Law distribution of tax money. Nothing of the spiritual nourishment of a Muslim community is looked at. She merely likes that people in these cultures are, apparently, generally alright with their money being syphoned off into so many social justice causes, without acknowledging the importance of religious duty, and without questioning how effectively this might be introduced in other countries where there is much less unanimous devotion to any particular set of religious values.
Otherwise, she thinks we can learn from the (presumably Christian) "Church", but this is nothing more substantial than how to bring so many cultures and backgrounds together. Nothing, in the case of Christianity or Islam, is said about the role faith and good works could (and undoubtedly will) play in the future.
Otherwise, this book is basically a well-presented, unobnoxious manifesto for how to create a better society, once we have shed ourselves of the outdated evils of capitalism. It's not nearly as in-your-face, superior than thou bolstering as it could have been. And Scully makes an earnest case for civil discourse rather than echo chambers and partisanship - a position I think is unequivocally right-leaning to today's standards.
I appreciated that this book wasn't just another unhinged rant against Trump or white people. And, as seems to be the case more in Australia than England or America, her ideas are much more centre-based, constructive and thoughtful. Though I am a solid conservative on social issues, I do have much more sympathy for the economic concerns driving the proper Left (that is, the actual progressives, not the fake ones of which I think Biden, Obama and the Clintons are a part).
It's a shame that there are almost no bigger-name conservatives in the Australian media these days that aren't dickheads. Though in my early days I flirted with liking them, I now cannot stand Mark Latham, I think Andrew Bolt is an idiot and Cory Bernardi took advantage of his base. Greg Sheridan is great, but he's also not nearly as hardline conservative as his detractors seem to think. Meanwhile, despite myself, I find Waleed Aly, Annabel Crabb, sometimes Kevin Rudd and certainly Julia Gillard to be perfectly likeable. Jess Scully is more like this as well. I would be nothing but obtusely disingenuous to come away from this book dismissing her as a liberal lunatic.
This book is a perfectly decent one, with a good humanitarian vision for our future. It just seems, despite it endorsement of conversation, to think there ultimately isn't anything worth hearing from the other side. It's just that pretending to respect these other opinions is a nice thing to do. I guess the majority of the world-wide populace are probably willing to do much less.
September 25, 2025
Just under 4 stars for me! This project was ambitious and inspiring, but somewhat lacking in cohesion. I felt continually inspired by the success stories documented in Glimpses of Utopia, but am unsure how many of the finer details I will retain having finished it. Little details - like SDGs being introduced in an early chapter, but not defined or expanded upon until page 366, or "radical banker" Kat Taylor being quoted before her main introduction in the narrative - could have been tightened to give the book greater structural integrity. Instead, these things stacked up for me in a way that made the pile of evidence a touch precarious, rather than totally solid.
But those are more minor editorial gripes than anything. They could be easily fixed with a bit of editing here, a slight structural reworking there; the core of Glimpses is hopeful and real, with Scully's authorial voice passionate and engaging throughout in a way that prevented even the lengthier, more theoretical passages from becoming dry. I particularly enjoyed her observation that "Decentralised, devolved forms of decision-making are possible, even in places where life is most challenging, and even in times of dire crisis and fear, we shouldn't underestimate the human capacity to lead in a way that serves the common good." In my opinion, a must-read for the disillusioned progressive!
But those are more minor editorial gripes than anything. They could be easily fixed with a bit of editing here, a slight structural reworking there; the core of Glimpses is hopeful and real, with Scully's authorial voice passionate and engaging throughout in a way that prevented even the lengthier, more theoretical passages from becoming dry. I particularly enjoyed her observation that "Decentralised, devolved forms of decision-making are possible, even in places where life is most challenging, and even in times of dire crisis and fear, we shouldn't underestimate the human capacity to lead in a way that serves the common good." In my opinion, a must-read for the disillusioned progressive!
August 6, 2022
Great book, full of smart ideas to transform and uplift communities, cities and our world. Inspires and gives me hope. Thank you Jess Scully!
March 18, 2021
This is the first book I’ve read about the state of the world (economically, environmentally and re:health) that is factual, realistic whilst ALSO actually outlining alternatives and solutions to the big problems. As someone who is often overwhelmed by these issues, this book is written in a way that reestablishes hope for the future.
December 15, 2020
A book filled with optimism, hope and practical solutions for a more sustainable, ethical and fairer world.
September 12, 2020
In recent times of constant negative news, Glimpses of Utopia is a well needed book. Jess Scully discusses various social issues and delves into different positive ideas and social movements. These ideas such as universal basic income, community participation in governance and funding for the 'caring' industries (health, education and social services), will shape us to build a more equal and sustainable society. Thus, these ideas can be our answers to build a utopia of the future where all of us are equal.
March 16, 2021
Does what it says on the tin - shares optimistic and progressive ideas to make this world a genuinely more kind, fair and happy place. Many of these aren't pipe dreams - they are already in practice around the world.
All we lack is an unbiased media to further share these ideas and the political vision and will to implement.
All we lack is an unbiased media to further share these ideas and the political vision and will to implement.
December 21, 2021
The book of the year for me. With COVID couldn't have come at a better time. Hopeful and enraging at the same time, brilliantly researched, very fresh and energising.
September 25, 2021
Like other readers I picked up "Glimpses of Utopia" in hope of being lifted from a pessimistic malaise. The author opens the book by acknowledging that the state of the world leaves much to be desired. The book begins with Australia on fire and COVID-19 gathering momentum. Trust in governments is low and general discontent is on the rise. Things are looking glum, but perhaps we have been looking in the wrong direction.
What "Glimpses of Utopia" does very well is presenting ideas that have people at their centre - not companies or profit. Scully provides examples from around the world of fairer ideas that have been put into place to benefit the people who participate. The obvious example of a co-op is discussed throughout the book, but also other platforms to include people in government decision-making, local production, and building stronger communities and workplaces. Scully questions if our governments, workplaces, homes, and cities are really set up to achieve their highest and most useful purpose.
The ideas and examples presented are explained in layperson terms. To simply put it, Scully has found real world examples of people taking charge of their local policy, economy, and workforce. Scully's love and commitment to local government and communities shines through in each chapter. Reading "Glimpses of Utopia" feels like a conversation with a passionate friend who wants to share their enthusiasm. It was Scully's enthusiasm that I found most optimistic.
What "Glimpses of Utopia" does very well is presenting ideas that have people at their centre - not companies or profit. Scully provides examples from around the world of fairer ideas that have been put into place to benefit the people who participate. The obvious example of a co-op is discussed throughout the book, but also other platforms to include people in government decision-making, local production, and building stronger communities and workplaces. Scully questions if our governments, workplaces, homes, and cities are really set up to achieve their highest and most useful purpose.
The ideas and examples presented are explained in layperson terms. To simply put it, Scully has found real world examples of people taking charge of their local policy, economy, and workforce. Scully's love and commitment to local government and communities shines through in each chapter. Reading "Glimpses of Utopia" feels like a conversation with a passionate friend who wants to share their enthusiasm. It was Scully's enthusiasm that I found most optimistic.
February 12, 2021
A book of great scope and depth, Glimpses of Utopia is the most important book I've read in a long while. Written in an accessible, eminently readable style complete with personal interviews and discussions, quotations and zoom sessions, Jess Scully's arguments and ideas range across the world of today -- and present hope for the future across a wide number of current issues. I have a 94-year-old friend enormously proud of his productivity improvement program (PIP) and the PhD that followed on. Of recent times, his usual buoyant mind has not been what it was. I recommended this book to him -- it took him three tries to get hold of it. I heard from him the other day and that's all we spoke about for the entire conversation. He summed up: "An immensely valuable book".
December 27, 2023
I really liked this book. Drops down a star only because I found it a bit slow to pick up at some points, but there was so much I really enjoyed - very cool to hear about some of the different schemes that are going on and ideas of how things could be better, particularly in a world where (as Jess mentions towards the end) often it feels like there are too many problems and not enough solutions, and every solution appears to bring more problems. This was a book filled with hope and suggestions, and felt to me like it was filled with reread potential. I liked the combination of smaller scale ideas and larger scale ideas. Would recommend.
January 31, 2021
Absolutely love the knowledge and depth covered within this book. Felt it was both very inspiring and insightful. I liked the idea of gaining ideas and opinions from other people. Both the author's perspectives and others she had spoken to were engaging and full of optimism which I highly regard in terms of the purpose of the book.
November 26, 2020
Great book for some sources of hope in such trying times. I appreciated how Scully not only highlighted current issues, but also provided examples of creative and diverse solutions from all over the world. Must read!!
March 26, 2021
Not my normal type of read, I picked this to branch out. I liked the exploration of many different ideas and for that I'm glad I picked this up.
The lower stars are more personal. As I found it hard to get through this book.
The lower stars are more personal. As I found it hard to get through this book.
January 9, 2021
A thoughful, positive and uplifting discussion of possibilities for our future. Well worth reading.
January 21, 2021
A hugely ambitious, optimistic work. I can think of so many people that will appreciate the scope and scale of this book. Inspiring and motivating.
August 18, 2021
very cool and informative. some sections were kinda boring but I like how comprehensive this was (tackling the issues from as many angles as possible)
August 18, 2021
DId not discover anuything I did not already know. I kept on dipping into it, in the hope of insights, and eventually shelved it unfinished
July 10, 2021
Optimism is underrated. Or perhaps it’s just too scarce in these cynical times. Glimpses of Utopia is Jess Scully’s compendium of alternative social and economic organisational models from around the world, that give reason for optimism.
The title of the book (“Glimpses …”) and its overall theme have their roots in the idea that wholesale utopian visions may not be necessary or even desirable - but that “glimpses of the possible” can inspire change (Ernst Bloch).
So her story here weaves its way in out and of these many glimpses in the form of ideas, practices, projects and personalities - often traditionally rooted, often decentralised and mostly driven by group/community action, and all grounded in their re-telling by Scully’s real-world experience as a politician.
Why are these glimpses and the inherent optimism on their stories important? “You can put a lot of pressure on people, but you first have to design them a way out (via Prof Kees Dorst, in the last chapter)”.
With many of the ideas presented receiving very little airing in the wider public, this book goes some way to addressing that deficit.
The title of the book (“Glimpses …”) and its overall theme have their roots in the idea that wholesale utopian visions may not be necessary or even desirable - but that “glimpses of the possible” can inspire change (Ernst Bloch).
So her story here weaves its way in out and of these many glimpses in the form of ideas, practices, projects and personalities - often traditionally rooted, often decentralised and mostly driven by group/community action, and all grounded in their re-telling by Scully’s real-world experience as a politician.
Why are these glimpses and the inherent optimism on their stories important? “You can put a lot of pressure on people, but you first have to design them a way out (via Prof Kees Dorst, in the last chapter)”.
With many of the ideas presented receiving very little airing in the wider public, this book goes some way to addressing that deficit.
October 1, 2020
Having read a few similar books recently, I didn't go into Jess Scully's Glimpses of Utopia with hope, but that's what I found. The book does what it says on the cover, providing glimpses of different and potentially better ways of organising government, community, business and other sectors. A rare glimpse of light through the clouds of this crazy year.
July 13, 2025
I tried, really tried with this book, but I could not finish it. So much screamed at me that the author hasn’t experienced as much of life as she is making out that she has.
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