I have a friend; actually he is more like a brother, that I have countless conversations with in regards to politics, culture, history, literature, music, and the like. We get together regularly in an attempt to discuss and solve all of the problems in our society and in the world as well. To help me along with the daunting task (which he assigned me during one of our meetings where I kept coming to the conclusion that all of our economic problems were systemic) of formulating the next post-Capitalist economic paradigm, my friend suggested that I re-read Utopia in a newly published translation from the original Latin.
When having discussions like the ones that my friend and I often have, one becomes enamored with ideals that are Utopian in nature...what if this or that was perfect. Utopia, in our modern discussions, has taken on the meaning of an unobtainable and perfect society that is devoid of all problems. While the island society in More's book of the same name is sold to us as such by its narrative proponent, Raphael Hythloday, the society itself is built upon some things that we moderns would not really look at as being so “good” or perfect. First off, there is legal slavery on the island. Secondly, there is a cultural/racial homogeneity of population on the island that is rigidly enforced by law as new outsiders aren't regularly allowed in. Finally, the rights of the individual are not very important here outside of the role that the individual performs within Utopian Society. All of these things can be quite problematic for the modern reader of More.
On the positive side, the Utopian society operates in a fashion that discourages greed and excess. The society is generally peaceful but can defend itself, even viciously, if necessary. Utopia is a place where no one wants for anything and all in society work towards the common goal of keeping everyone on the island fed, clothed, sheltered, at peace, and generally pretty happy and conflict free. Justice is determined by judges that are brought in from other countries so as not to have any biases towards one side or another in a dispute. In general, Utopia as a place seems like an ideal place to live.
The word utopia translates from the Latin into “no place.” In short, More was telling us of a place that did not exist as if it did exist in reality. This ideal fictional society, and the ways in which More chooses to set it up, makes Utopia an excellent read for those that are looking for ways to make our society and world a better place in which to live. This book can be looked at as both a history of philosophical thought (at the very beginning of the development of Western, post-enlightenment, democratic thought) as well as an examination of politics and human nature. In short, I would recommend this book to anyone as a starting point for discussion on politics, economics, and philosophy.
~Roy W. Bakos~
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