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.

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.