Aaron Bastani: A socialist perspective on the pursuit of happiness

A socialist perspective on the pursuit of happiness

Several crises are set to define the next century -- but journalist Aaron Bastani believes we have the technological ability to meet our biggest challenges and create unprecedented levels of prosperity for all. He shows how we could get there by ditching capitalism as the world's economic operating system and adopting "universal basic services," where governments would freely provide life essentials like housing, health care, education and transport. (Followed by Q&A with head of TED Chris Anderson and public finance expert Maja Bosnic)

The pursuit of happiness remains out of reach for most people when essentials like housing, health care, and education are insecure. In 2018, 40 million Americans relied on food stamps, showing that market-driven systems often fail to ensure basic needs. Universal basic services, not cash handouts, can guarantee liberty by offering life’s fundamentals free for all, funded by progressive taxation. Harnessing technology and state action, these services could address inequality, aging, and the climate crisis while expanding real freedom.