The Quest for Utopia

1. The Quest for Utopia Essential Question: What is an ideal society?

2. Do you agree with this definition? Why or why not? • What are the constraints of this definition? Utopia Definition Noun: an ideal community or society possessing highly desirable or perfect qualities.

3. Etymology Greek ou (not) and rorros (place) In English, Utopia is pronounced exactly as Eutopia English homophone eutopia Greek Eu (good or well) and rorros (place) The word has a double meaning of “no place” or “good place”

4. Examples of Literary Utopian Archetypes • Greek Poet Hesiod (8th Century BC) describes the “Golden Age” of Greek history, so does Hindu and Middle Eastern literature. • Bible: Garden of Eden • Chinese writer Tao Yuamning’s fable called The Peach Blossom Spring where people live in ideal harmony with nature unaware of the outside world (421 AD) • James Hilton in Lost Horizon (1933) describes a fictional utopian monestary high in theTibetanmountains calledShangri-La

5. Thomas More’s Utopia(1516) • Word is coined in Greek by More in this work. • Work of fiction and political philosophy • Describes the political and economic characteristics of a fictional island set in the New World • Some think the piece is meant to be a satirical reflection of English society in the 16th century

6. Dystopia: deconstruction of Utopia • 19th century British philosopher John Stuart Mill first used the word • Fictional speculation of future society based on contemporary issues such as environment, politics, the use or abuse of technology, overpopulation, etc. • Serve as warnings or satires regarding the future in dire situations.

7. Typical Dystopian characteristics • A hierarchal society • A nation state that uses propaganda and rules by fear or manipulation • Absence of a united government • Back story of a natural disaster, war, revolution or some other climactic event. • Dehumanization of society. • A protagonist who questions society. • Often features more advanced, futuristic technology.

8. Popular Dystopian Novels

9. Dystopian archetypal literature • George Orwell’s 1984 • Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World • Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 • Lois Lowry’s The Giver • Suzanne Collin’s The Hunger Games • James Dashner’sThe Maze Runner • Veronica Roth’s Divergent • Marie Liu’s Legend • Cormac McCarthy’s The Road

10. Supporting Questions • Is Utopia attainable? At What cost? • What drives us to seek a Utopian society? • How has the concept of “Utopia” changed over time and across cultures/societies? • Why do dystopian societies emerge?

11. Political systems • Many political and economic systems have developed in areas of the world depending on the needs of people as well as on economic resources available. • Democracy • Theocracy • Republic • Aristocracy • Monarchy • Capitalism • Socialism • Communism • Feudalism

12. Economy: Who/what controls products, goods, and services?

13. How is a government run?

15. Authority

18. River Valley Civilizations • Monarchy: The government is under the control of one powerful leader. • In Sumner and Babylon, the monarch was also the high priest • who had to satisfy the Gods. • In Egypt, the monarch (pharaoh) was the physical reincarnation of the god Horus. • Both civilizations blend religion and politics to govern.

19. Kingship in the ancient world • Chinese emperors justified their actions by claiming the Mandate of Heaven or divine right to rule. • Strong leaders would maintain the favor of heaven while weak leaders would eventually lose power: the Dynastic Cycle.

20. Feudalism: 6th century • Western Europe is left without a strong centralized government following the breakdown of the Roman Empire. • Strong local lords created allegiances and safety in return for loyalty and military support.

21. Absolutism • Kings/Queens have complete control over the government (Divine Right). • Widespread political system in Europe and parts of Asia starting in the 16th century.

22. Enlightenment: (18th century) explain the purpose of government and its best form.

23. Effects of the Enlightenment Creates discussions about what type of government is best and under what circumstances. Stimulates concepts of individualism Revolutions French Revolution Glorious Revolution in Britain Latin American Revolutions American Revolution

24. Democracy

25. Socialism and Communism • 1848: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles write The Communist Manifesto • History is a struggle between the “haves” and “have-nots” • Capitalism should be abolished because it takes advantage of the working class • Working class would overthrow capitalist systems • Governments would create a classless society in which all wealth and power would be shared equally among the people.

26. Russian Revolution • 1917 Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky lead a group of socialist revolutionaries called the Bolsheviks against Czar Nicholas II. • Lenin promises the people peace, land, and bread, but creates a one-party government: the Community Party with ultimate power. • Josef Stalin turns Russia into a totalitarian state where every aspect of the people’s lives is controlled by the government.