Utopian Socialism clipped to UtSoc is an umbrella term for any type of 
socialism which rejects 
Marx's concept of 
'scientific socialism' and material dialectic. Utopian Socialism isn't necessarily 'utopian' in the common sense, (although it oftentimes can be), and may involve a varying degree of pessimism about the nature of humanity. 
Henri de Saint-Simon, 
Charles Fourier, 
Robert Owen, and 
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon are examples of socialist theorists who were regarded by Marx and Engels as Utopian Socialists.
Variants
Bourgeois Socialism
Bourgeois socialism or conservative socialism was a term used by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in various pieces, including in The Communist Manifesto. Conservative socialism was used as a rebuke by Marx for certain strains of socialism, but it has also been used by proponents of such a system. Bourgeois socialists are described as those that advocate for preserving the existing society using various means to only eliminate perceived evils of the system. Conservative socialism and 
right wing socialism are also used as a descriptor, and in some cases as a pejorative, by 
free-market conservative and 
right-libertarian movements and politicians to describe more 
economically interventionist strands of conservatism.
The Marxist view is such that the bourgeois socialist is the sustainer of the current state of bourgeois class relations. In the Principles of Communism Engels describes them as "so-called socialists" who only seek to remove the evils inherent in capitalist society while maintaining the existing society often relying on methods such as 
welfare systems and grandiose claims of 
social reform. Opinions vary as to whether if bourgeois socialist is actively protecting or intentionally excusing the current order, but the common thread is that they are in objective fact preserving it. Rather than 
abolishing class divisions, they wish to simply raise everyone up to be a member of the bourgeoisie to allow everyone the ability to endlessly accumulate capital without a working class. In The Communist Manifesto, Marx and Engels use philanthropists, monks ("temperance fanatics") and reformers as examples of this type of socialist that they saw as opposed to their own aims. In expressing its views on the subject, Marx explicitly referenced 
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon's The Philosophy of Poverty, stating the following about bourgeois socialism:
The Socialistic bourgeois want all the advantages of modern social conditions without the struggles and dangers necessarily resulting therefrom.
Bourgeois socialists are considered as 
working for the enemies of communists by preserving the society that communists seek to overthrow thus Engels claims that communists must continuously struggle against them.
Utopianism (Thomas More)
WIP
Fourierism
WIP
Tenets
Utopian Socialism usually does not analyse any ways of getting to her goals, or achieving them. Instead, she imagines her idea of a perfect society, usually based on some sense of morality or justice.
Personality
Acts like a hippie. Loves the Beatles, especially John Lennon. Very peaceful and hates conflict.
How to Draw
- Draw a ball
- Color it red
- Draw a yellow circle in the centre
- Slightly off the circumference of the circle, draw 8 yellow wide triangles pointing outward, making the rays of a sun
- Add the eyes and you're done!
| Color Name | HEX | RGB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #ED1F29 | 237, 31, 41 | |
| Yellow | #FFF200 | 255, 242, 0 | |
Relationships
Friends
Socialism - My beloved son. Though I'm quite scared of most of your more modern children.
Philosophical Anarchism - Godwin was pretty great wasn't he?
Social Liberalism - You could say you are my moderate variant.
Lange-Lernerism - You definitely know how to make socialism work!
Left-Wing Populism - Some of you are misguided Scientifics but many are like my modern variant.
Reformist Marxism - He gets it!
- - Yeah but you don't my confused friend
Social Democracy - His son who used to oppose me but now is often my modern variant especially in America.
Democratic Socialism - I will usually vote for you but quit being so materialist!
One-Nation Conservatism - Disraeli was pretty cool
Radicalism - Long live the Chartists!
Abolitionism - Most of my early theorists supported you too!
Religious Socialism - Many religions criticise capitalism even if they do not realise this.
Market Socialism - Owens was really cool
Meidner Plan - Excellant way of establishing socialism!
Republicanism - Abolish the monarchy!
Syndicalism - Using unionization and strikes to achieve socialism? Based!
Mutualism - My anarchist variant
Lennonism - Thanks for the great song!
Frenemies
Yellow Socialism - Compromising with capitalists is great and all but do you have to be so reactionary?
Anarcho-Individualism - You are my son but you are really selfish.
Monarcho-Socialism - You are technically a form of me but I would rather a republic.
Classical Liberalism - I love your liberty but could you maybe free the working man as you free the serf?
Reactionary Socialism - Compromising with the nobility is great but that's a bit much.
Moderatism - Compromise is good, but why are you so pro-status quo??
Enemies
Capitalism - Maybe you can just... like, go away?
Fascism - You know, you're kind of mean, and I don't like that.
Nazism - YOU ARE NOT EVEN A SOCIALIST!!
Marxism - A materialist idiot who tried to discredit me by creating "Scientific Socialism". Also your way of revolution is just violent and impossible!
Left Communism - Ultra Marxist
Scientocracy - Ruined socialism.
Neoconservatism - Please stop being mean to people for being socialist? Pretty Please?
Further Information
Literature
- Utopia by Thomas More
- A New View Of Society by Robert Owen
- Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy
- News from Nowhere by
William Morris - Manifesto of Democracy by
Victor Prosper Considerant
Wikipedia
Notes
- ↑ William Godwin was an early Socialist and a Proto-Communist, with his thought largely influenced by Socialism writings of Robert Owen and Charles Fourier.
References
Gallery
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Original image
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