Utopian Schemes and Political Theorists
The collection of essays critiques various utopian schemes and their proponents, arguing that they are often based on unrealistic assumptions about human nature and society. Whittier examines the ideas of prominent political theorists, including those who advocate for a classless society or a world government. He argues that such schemes ignore the complexities of human behavior and the role of individual freedom in shaping social structures.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1854 · Genre: Political Theory, Philosophical Literature, Social Critique · 2,766 words
First lines
THERE is a large class of men, not in Europe alone, but in this country also, whose constitutional conservatism inclines them to regard any organic change in the government of a state or the social condition of its people with suspicion and distrust. They admit, perhaps, the evils of the old state of things; but they hold them to be inevitable, the alloy necessarily mingled with all which pertains to fallible humanity. Themselves generally enjoying whatever of good belongs to the political or social system in which their lot is cast, they are disposed to look with philosophic indifference upon the evil which only afflicts their neighbors. They wonder why people are not contented with their allotments; they see no reason for change; they ask for quiet and peace in their day; being quite well satisfied with that social condition which an old poet has quaintly described: --
What this Textopian page supports
Utopian Schemes and Political Theorists is listed on Textopian as an article by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1854 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Article
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1854 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Political Theory, Philosophical Literature, Social Critique, Utopian Fiction, Historical Analysis
- Length: 2,766 words
- Structure: 1 section, 21 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Similar titles
- What Is Man by Mark Twain
- A Humane Word From Satan by Mark Twain
- The Landlord by Henry David Thoreau
- Concerning The Jews by Mark Twain
- Utopia by Thomas More
- Reflections On Our Dislike Of Things As They Are by John Galsworthy
Genres
- Political Theory — The work discusses various political ideologies and the evolution of governance, making it central to political theory.
- Philosophical Literature — It engages with philosophical questions about society, governance, and human nature, characteristic of philosophical literature.
- Social Critique — The text critiques existing social structures and advocates for reform, aligning it with social critique.
- Utopian Fiction — It references and analyzes utopian concepts and narratives, placing it within the utopian fiction genre.
Tags
Utopianism · Political Theory · Social Commentary · 19th Century Literature · American Literature · Philosophical Fiction · Satire · Critique of Society · Idealism · Realism vs Idealism · Politics and Society · Social Reform