3.1.9 Response: Utopian Socialism

Modern day democratic Socialism traces its roots back to utopian socialism of the 19th Century.




Two of the most famous 19th Century utopian socialists were Charles Fourier and Robert Owen.

In the late 18th Century, the French thinker Francois Marie Charles Fourier believed that cooperation was key to a society's productivity, and that individuals should be rewarded for their contributions to the collective whole.

He also promoted childhood education, and believed that human reason, along with collaboration, would create social unity. His ideas were influential in France's 1848 Revolution, where the right to work became a major issue.

Charles Fourier
1772-1837

Robert Owen was born and raised in a small town in Wales. During the Industrial Revolution he worked at various factory jobs, and came to believe that the kind of person one becomes is a result of one's environment. Rather than overthrow classical liberal society, Owen sought to alter the political, economic and social conditions created by industrialized capitalism. 
From his own experience as a child labourer, Owen felt that children who grew up in the squalid conditions of the factory and mining towns of Great Britain would never rise above their working class without proper education.

Utopia refers to 'paradise' and Owen promoted the idea that the perfect living and working conditions could be created in a community that took care of its citizens. One's potential could be reached through education, and this was achieved when society ensured the economic and social well being of its citizens.

In 1800 Owen became the manager of a mill in New Lanark, Scotland. Soon after, he and several partners bought the mill and Owen began incorporating his utopian socialist ideals into a model community.

Besides reducing work hours and limiting child labour, he created an education centre and provided infant care for working parents. Cooperation was emphasized and worker incentives were introduced to reward productive employees. Owen spent the rest of his life writing and speaking about utopian socialist principles with the hope of bringing about factory reform in Britain.


In 2001, New Lanark became a UNESCO World Heritage site.

People's Historian: Robert Owen and New Lanark, Daniel Gray, You-tube 

As you read from the textbook pages indicated below, consider the issue question:

 

As you read about Utopian Socialism, take notes on the following:

• What are the main ideas in utopian socialism?
• Which classical liberal principles were rejected?
  
• How do they attempt to extend greater freedoms for all?
• To what extent was utopian socialism successful?