The Routledge Handbook of International Planning Education

Abstract

Leigh, N. G.; French, S. P.; Guhathakurta, S.; Stiftel, B. (eds.) (2020): The Routledge Handbook of International Planning Education. New York: Routledge, 370 pages, ISBN 9781138958777. of us, and our main task is to build different institutions” (p. 383). This is then the weakest point of the book. It provides a captivating and motivating long-term trajectory but renders the individual reality for practical and immediate impact weak. It could be that it is not about putting into practice or implementing, as many planners would call it. Perhaps, Bregman intends for humanity to uncover and show its best side – and allow radical change to happen together. “Humankind: A Hopeful History” shows an unexpected picture of our evolution: the survival of the friendliest and most cooperative human beings. Human history is filled with stories of friendship, mutual support, and compassion. The problem is not the lack thereof, but our distorted picture of human nature in society that is reenforced through institutions, education and even more unhelpful (social) media. As we are the only species that can blush and thereby make ourselves readable to others like open books (Bregman 2020: 71), it is the comparative advantage of humans to be social beings, having kindness and cooperation in their nature as homo cooperans (Moor 2013). Bregman uses a lively writing style to challenge the widespread assumption that humans are selfish, self-interested and, by nature, bad. His message is clear from the beginning, further supplemented during the book that is a good and captivating read also for non-academics. It takes the reader through personal contemplations and lively encounters to deliver or encourage our hopeful story. Though written without COVID-19 in mind or at the horizon of the pandemic, its content is even more important in 2021. As long-term consequences become clearer, can we, and should we rebuild with trust? At minimum, Bregman’s book should be read by planners and decision-makers to counterbalance our cynicism or choices to give up or believe that what is out there, is ‘ just the reality’. Maybe humanity is better than you think. If you are not sure, read Bregman and then it is worth discussing again.