The War on Normal People
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | April 3, 2018 |
| Founder | Andrew Yang |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Book, audiobook |
The War on Normal People: The Truth About America's Disappearing Jobs and Why Universal Basic Income Is Our Future is a 2018 publication authored by Andrew Yang, an American entrepreneur and founder of Venture for America. Yang later became a 2020 Democratic presidential contender, advocating for the policies outlined in this book. Initially released by Hachette Books on April 3, 2018, the book was followed by a paperback edition on April 2, 2019. Additionally, Yang provided narration for an audiobook version made available on YouTube in September 2018.
The work explores themes such as technological advancements, automation, job loss, and the state of the U.S. economy. It promotes the concept of a universal basic income (UBI) as a solution to maintain economic security amid widespread employment disruptions. UBI was a cornerstone policy during Yang's 2020 presidential bid.
Publishing history
The book was published in the United States by Hachette Books on April 3, 2018, with a subsequent paperback release on April 2, 2019.
Synopsis
Yang analyzes the phenomenon of job loss and declining local economies, labeling it the "Great Displacement," which he attributes to factors such as financialization, globalization, and technological progress. He forecasts that automation will eradicate millions of positions, including white-collar jobs like document review attorneys and medical professionals, as computers increasingly outperform humans in tasks like interpreting radiology images. Yang contrasts "normal people" with technologically skilled workers, noting that Silicon Valley engineers command starting salaries nearing $200,000, drawing talent away from humanities fields toward technical disciplines. He cautions that automation could make many "normal people" obsolete, possibly inciting violent unrest.
Yang disputes optimistic perspectives exemplified by Thomas Friedman's belief in lifelong learning for all Americans. He points out that nearly half (49%) of U.S. workers are concentrated in five primary job categories: administrative and clerical work, retail and cashier roles, food service positions, truck driving, and manufacturing.
He proposes implementing a universal basic income (UBI) of $1,000 per month for every American citizen, financed through a 10% value-added tax on goods and services. This initiative, called the "Freedom Dividend," would replace most current welfare programs. According to Yang, it would eradicate poverty for approximately 41 million Americans living below the poverty threshold and enhance low-wage workers' negotiating power by compelling employers to increase wages and improve working conditions. He references figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Richard Nixon, and Milton Friedman as early advocates of UBI. Yang asserts that UBI will ease transitions from shrinking industries and unleash unprecedented levels of human creativity.
In addition to UBI, Yang introduces the concept of "human-centric capitalism," which incorporates alternative success indicators like childhood achievement rates, mental health status, workforce engagement, and freedom from substance abuse. He argues that GDP is an increasingly inadequate metric as artificial intelligence and automation replace human labor. Yang envisions UBI enabling a social credit system to facilitate the exchange of goods and services and calls for reforms in higher education to balance values alongside skill development.
Significance
The book’s exploration of automation, technological advancements, job loss, and their impact on the U.S. economy played a pivotal role in shaping Yang's 2020 presidential bid. He maintained that as technology eliminates numerous occupations, it is imperative for the government to maintain economic security through initiatives such as Universal Basic Income (UBI), which was among the three principal pillars of his campaign platform.
Reception
Yang has elaborated on the book’s themes during interviews on shows including Merion West, Recode Decode with Kara Swisher, and The Ben Shapiro Show. Both the publication and Yang’s policy proposals have been met with generally favorable critiques.
Entrepreneur and writer Arianna Huffington lauded it as "a clear-eyed examination of our social and economic challenges coupled with an innovative blueprint for a better future." CBS News correspondent Major Garrett found it "both compelling and concerning," while business leader Daymond John recommended it as essential reading to grasp forthcoming obstacles. Author Alec Ross highlighted Yang’s urgent appeal to reform America’s social contract.
In 2019, CNBC’s editor-at-large John Harwood included the book among his top five political reads, emphasizing its persuasive economic analysis. Kirkus Reviews described it as "a sobering depiction of a fragmented polity" and "thought-provoking social critique." Economist Robert Reich, writing in The New York Times, reviewed it alongside Annie Lowrey’s Give People Money, considering both valuable introductions to UBI and hinting at its eventual necessity. The New Yorker’s Emily Witt remarked on Yang’s data-driven approach to policy debates. Felix Haas of World Literature Today acknowledged the difficult issues Yang raises but commended his strong community-oriented perspective.
Harvard economist Edward Glaeser, contributing to The Wall Street Journal, expressed shared concerns about the evolving nature of work but opposed Yang’s UBI plan, cautioning against a scenario where two-thirds of Americans depend on such support. Andy Kroll from Rolling Stone noted that while the book expands on Yang’s ideas, it also prompts further inquiry, situating him among thinkers who attribute economic unease to Trump’s election and the surge in white nationalism.