Laura Chappell
Colloquium390U
Response 2
Looking Backward 2000-1887
Bellamy’s utopian society described in his novel Looking Backward that he envisioned
existing in the twentieth century was focused on ideals that served as solutions to many of the
problems he saw in his current society of the nineteenth century. Bellamy detested the capitalist
culture that he resided in, and dreamed for social evolution towards a democratically inspired
nationalist state. In order to achieve nationalism, Bellamy believed that, “a democratic, though
highly centralized, nation-state needed to control all those aspects of production and
consumption currently monopolized by competing capitalist companies”, and these ideas are
directly reflected in his vision of utopia (Bellamy-Introduction pg. viii). Although this idea of
regulation suggests a loss of individual freedom, the value of individualism is actually strongly,
and purposefully, maintained throughout Bellamy’s twentieth century utopia.
Julian West’s experience in Looking Backward supports Bellamy’s beliefs that
nationalism protects true individualism. Although many elements of Bellamy’s utopian vision
are nationally regulated, they still lead to the option of individual choice. For example, the
distribution of wealth in 2000 is based solely off of the nation’s wealth as a whole, and is then
divided equally among its citizens. Although this nationalist idea means that every individual
earns the same amount of money (in the form of credit), each individual still has the freedom to
spend this amount as they choose, and their personal tastes will determine this. Julian West
argues with Dr. Leete in Chapter 6 that this single sum of money limits the amount of which
each individual could potentially buy. However, Dr. Leete explains that each individual only has
the desire to buy those items which serve a necessary purpose, and so it doesn’t matter.
Bellamy’s goal in creating equal wealth for all citizens is not an attempt to diminish individual
freedom, but instead is an effort to reduce the income gap among the different classes in society.
Similar to this idea is Bellamy’s insistence on regulated production. This nationalist idea
of certain sectors of the economy functioning as publicly owned capital and property could
possibly suggest a loss of individualism. However, due to this regulated production, the nation
prospers from the increased efficiency. Everyone is forced to work in Bellamy’s twentieth
century society, regardless of the individual, but he envisions the citizens of this society as eager
to work due to their nationalist tendencies. Dr. Leete explains this to Julian West by saying, “the
army of industry is an army, not alone by virtue of its perfect organization, but by reason also of
the ardor of self-devotion which animates its members” (Bellamy pg. 57). Although these work
requirements exist in Bellamy’s utopian vision, every citizen is well-educated and has the
freedom to choose a profession that they think best suits them, so this clearly represents the
option of personal choice. By nationally ensuring every citizen a decent education, each
individual is guaranteed to be qualified to work the job that they want to work within Bellamy’s
industrial army. Therefore, this national regulation of the market actually leads to many benefits
for the individual.
Bellamy’s twentieth century utopia revolves around the aforementioned nationally ran
systems, among others; however he has managed to create an inhomogeneous society unlike
many other visions of utopia that follow this same path. In fact, these nationally ran systems
function for the direct benefit of the individual, rather than to its detriment. Dr. Leete
emphasizes this point in saying to Julian West, “in fact, you will find, Mr. West, as you come to
know us, that there is far less interference of any sort with personal liberty nowadays than you
were accustomed to” (Bellamy pg. 68). Julian West learns this through comparing his
experience in the twentieth century to the inferior society he grew up in.