Definition

Noun: 1. A form of socialism advocating a perfect, ideal society achieved through voluntary cooperation and moral persuasion, rather than class conflict or revolution: It refers to early socialist thought that envisioned ideal, often small-scale, communities based on cooperation and shared property, which its proponents believed could be established through example and rational appeal.

Usage

• Utopian socialism is often contrasted with the later, more systematic theories of scientific socialism.
• The term is frequently used to describe idealistic but impractical social schemes.
• It functions as a compound noun, typically used in academic, historical, or political discussions.

Examples

• The early 19th-century experiments of Robert Owen and Charles Fourier are classic examples of utopian socialism in practice.
• Critics argue that utopian socialism fails to account for the structural realities of economic power.
• Her philosophy was rooted in a tradition of utopian socialism that emphasized communal living and education.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used attributively (as an adjective) in phrases like utopian socialist thinkers or utopian socialist communities.
• It is often used with a slightly pejorative connotation to imply naivety or impractical idealism in political planning.

Variants and Related Words

• Utopian (adjective): Pertaining to or characteristic of a utopia; idealistic but impractical.
• Utopian (noun): A believer in or advocate of a utopia.
• Socialism (noun): A political and economic theory advocating for collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.

Synonyms

• Idealistic socialism
• Pre-Marxist socialism

Antonyms

• Scientific socialism
• Marxist socialism
• Revolutionary socialism

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Owenism: The socialist ideas of Robert Owen, a prominent utopian socialist.
• Fourierism: The system of social reform proposed by Charles Fourier, another key utopian socialist.
• Intentional community: A planned residential community designed to have a high degree of social cohesion and teamwork; many were founded by utopian socialists.

Noun

1. socialism achieved by voluntary sacrifice