Utilitopia

Neoliberalism is the dominant economic orthodoxy of the West, framed as the only viable way to run a modern economy. We’re often told that the alternative, a centrally planned economy is worse, and that neoliberalism represents freedom while socialism leads to tyranny. But this is a false dichotomy.

In the post-war period, the state played a much greater role in the economy. Growth was high, inequality was relatively low, and freedom contrary to Hayek’s fears was, if anything, greater. His claim that social democracy would lead us down a “Road to Serfdom” has not held up to reality.

That said, the post-war consensus wasn’t perfect. It was at times overly bureaucratic, and the world has changed. Globalisation has deepened, and Western economies have shifted toward services and technology. But that doesn’t mean the current system is optimal or permanent. There are elements of the post-war model worth reviving: public ownership of essential utilities, more progressive taxation, meaningful redistribution, and strong public investment.

I chose Utilitopia as the blog’s name as a combination of utilitarianism and utopia. Utilitarianism seeks to promote the greatest good for the greatest number. Utopia is used because the blog will advocate for a post-work society made possible by technological advancement. It isn’t built on fantasy, but on what is achievable over time with political will, innovation, and democratic reform. These ideas won’t be realised overnight, but they are worth striving for.

Here are some questions this blog will explore:

• Why is job creation seen as inherently good, independent of if the job serves a human need or want?
• Why is GDP still seen as the primary measure of human progress by many, when it is better to consider quality of life metrics instead?
• Why do we resist automation, when we could use it to improve work-life balance?

While this blog questions how work is structured in modern capitalism, it is not anti-work. As Guy Standing observes, there’s a crucial difference between labour and work. Labour often refers to routine, exploitative tasks done out of economic necessity, while work includes care, creativity, community involvement, and self-development, the things that bring meaning to our lives. What Utilitopia seeks to minimise, through automation and rethinking our priorities, is unnecessary labour.

This blog is not driven by an ideologically anti-capitalist stance. Capitalism’s historical role in driving progress is acknowledged. While no one can predict exactly what an improved economic system will look like, the goal here is clear: to consistently seek policies that maximize utility not to follow any dogma. Neoliberalism has clearly failed, but both capitalist and socialist alternatives will be explored, provided they respect individual liberty.

Some labour will always be necessary, of course, and those who do it should be fairly compensated, offered good working conditions, and treated with dignity. The goal is not to eliminate all work, but to ensure that no one is trapped in exhausting, meaningless jobs just to survive.

Marx imagined a world where one could “hunt in the morning, fish in the afternoon, rear cattle in the evening, criticise after dinner”. While this blog doesn’t take a dogmatically socialist stance, that kind of liberated, fulfilling life is worth striving for. Whether it’s achieved through socialism, communism, or a reformed capitalism matters less to me than the outcome. What I do reject is the authoritarian transitional phase Marx advocated in The Communist Manifesto, a stage that became even more repressive in the hands of later thinkers like Lenin.

Universal basic income is central to achieving this society. A full post defending UBI will be one of the first posts created. For now, it’s enough to say that by decoupling survival from employment, UBI would empower people to pursue meaningful work whether that means caregiving, art, learning, or simply having more time for their community. It’s not about paying people to do nothing; it’s about giving everyone the freedom to choose how they contribute, without the constant threat of poverty hanging over them.

Another core focus of this blog is individual freedom and human rights. While Utilitopia promotes utilitarianism, it does so in the tradition of John Stuart Mill recognising freedom of speech as essential to human progress. Offensive speech, with narrow exceptions such as incitement or direct threats, should remain legal. The state should not be the arbiter of what is or isn’t offensive.

At the same time, Utilitopia rejects the narrow conception of freedom often promoted by the political right — freedom from government overreach is vital, yes, but so is freedom to live without economic fear. That includes the security of UBI, access to healthcare and education, and protection from discrimination. Minority rights in employment, education, and public life are not optional; they are essential to equal opportunity.

From time to time, the blog will also feature reviews and reflections on books related to politics, economics, philosophy, and the future of society. These will range from foundational texts to modern critiques and visionary ideas.

I’ll be posting a few times a week to this blog, so please check in often. All are welcome to comment as long as it’s respectful and not hate speech or spam. This isn’t hypocritical; I support free speech, and I also support a blogger’s right to moderate their own platform.

Whether you’re left-leaning, politically homeless, or just tired of shallow arguments and culture war distractions welcome to Utilitopia. Let’s imagine, and build, something better.