Department of Sociology, IPFW
Patrick J. Ashton
THE UTOPIAN SOCIALISTS
Utopian = idealistic, visionary. Based on an abstract notion of achieving perfection. Wedded the liberal notion of
equality to the Chrisitan Paternalist Ethic of being one's brother's keeper. Protested against the poverty and
exploitation of the working class under capitalism, based on unequal ownership of property.
Gerrard Winstanley (1609-1652)
Bankrupt merchant who rebelled against "the cheating art of buying and selling." Founded a commune on
unused Crown lands. Followers called the Levellers. Goal: equality of wealth.
Gracchus Babeuf (1760-1797)
Led extreme left wing of the French Revolution after the death of Robespierre. Masterminded a conspiracy to
overthrow the government and replace it with one dedicated to equality and brotherhood. Plot betrayed,
Babeuf executed. Ideas: Inequality in ownership of property leads to injustice. The government must be
overthrown by force; a period of dictatorship will be necessary until remnants of the old system are subdued.
Henri Comte de Saint-Simon (1760-1825)
Critic of liberal egoism, but private property is OK if it is used rationally for the welfare of the masses. First to
emphasize the efficiency of large industrial enterprises. Important idea: necessity of rational central planning
and government administration of the economy. Followers were generally more radical in attack on private
property.
William Godwin (1756-1836)
The apparent "laziness” and depravity of the lower class is due to corrupt and unjust social institutions.
Government not likely to change the situation since it is controlled by capitalists. Nonetheless, solution is
reason and education.
Robert Owen (1771-1858)
Successful industrialist in northern England. Argues in A New View of Society (1813) that humans are
completely shaped by the conditions in which they live. Organized his factory at New Lanark as a benevolent
autocrat: decent wages and working conditions, education for working-class children. Emphasized
cooperation. Hoped to convince other capitalists through rational example.
Charles Fourier (1772-1837)
Emphasized waste and irrationality in capitalism; advocated cooperation among equals. Set up phalansteries
— large, rationally-organized, self-reliant communes. Goal: reform capitalism through rational example.
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon (1809-1865)
Wrote What is Property? Answer: “Theft.” Property rights are the source of economic inequality and
political coercion. Aganist capitalism and industrialism. Goal: eliminate all sources of coercion, including
the state (early anarchist). Vision: agricultural and handicraft society.
Auguste Blanqui (1805-1881)
Follower of Babeuf. Stated that capitalism is constant class war between capitalists and workers; there is no
hope for gradual political reform. Only solution is revolution.
The Chartists
Radical working-class trade union movement. 1835: People’s Charter drawn up by General Workingmen’s
Assn. of London providing for 1) universal male suffrage; 2) annual parliaments; 3) payment of M.P.s so that
workers could stand for election; 4) voting by secret ballot to prevent bribery and intimidation; 5) equal
electoral districts to secure equal representation; 6) abolition of steep property qualification for public office so
that all voters would be eligible. Gathered 4,000,000 signatures. Not acted upon by Parliament. Movement
strongly influenced Marx and Engels.