The Fourierest Phalanxes

1

• The Fourierest Phalanxes

2
Charles Fourier

• (1772- 1837) He was a French social theorist who
  elaborated a vision for a utopian society that
  was organized along the principals of sexual
  liberation, cooperative organisms, women's
  liberation, and human interaction.
• He believed in a reorganized society into social
  communities.

3
Weird Ideas

• People could live to 150.
• The sea could be turned to lemonade.
• The North and South poles were heated by aurora
  borealis (the northern lights).
• Animals could be taught music.
• Wars should be replaced by cupcake eating
  contests.

4

• All work should be turned into play. They saw
  manual work as degrading and irksome. They
  designed a self- contained community that housed
  1620 members called a phalanx.
• Fourier had previously calculated, from his ideas
  of human personalities and the importance of all
  to find a suitable partner, that 1620 was the
  optimum number for people living and working
  together.
• He termed his living spaces phalanstere. These
  were building arrangments in a u- shape with a
  wing on either side. These included large meeting
  rooms, private rooms and gardens.

5
(No Transcript)
6

• These communities were set up in direct
  opposition to the Industrial Revolution and the
  overseeing Bourgeois society. Fourier realized
  that although the industrial society generated
  profit, its working conditions were alienating
  and unjust.
• Instead he advocated a radical vision where
  people did only the work that they enjoyed.

7
Fundamental Functions of Men

• The 5 senses
• Friendship
• Ambition
• Love
• Parenthood
• Love of variety
• Rivalry
• conspiracy

8
Women's Rights

• The domestic labor was shared with men.
• Women were no longer considered to be in a
  slavish position.
• Women were revered for their ability to produce
  children.
• They were considered equals within the
  communities.
• All important jobs were open to women on the
  basis of skill, not gender.

9
Other ideas

• Fourier defended homosexuality as a personal
  choice.
• He believed that a society that cooperated would
  see a large improvement in productivity.

10

• Fourierests represented the most widespread
  movement for secular socialist utopias.
• The land chosen was unsuitable for farming and
  far away from cities.
• Most went under after two years from debts and
  internal bickering.

11
Utopian Ideals

• Collective fellowship and goodwill
• Safety and solidarity
• Mutual trust and assistance
• Physical, pschological, and spiritual happiness
• Cultural enrichment through education, science
  and the arts
• Equality regarless of race, sex, faith, age, or
  ethnicity
• peace

12
Ideals cont.

• Prosperity
• Humanitarian outreach
• Ecological awareness
• Conservation of resources

13
Destruction

• The head quarters were established in New Jersey.
• The society came to an end in 1854 when a fire
  destroyed many buildings on the sight.