Utopian England: Community Experiments 1900-1945

This book examines the contrasting ideologies and fortunes of utopian community experiments in the early twentieth century. The idea of creating a perfect society led to practical community experiments varying widely in ideology and form. The book starts by locating this episode of utopian ideas and community experiments within an existing tradition, drawing attention especially to nineteenth century precedents. Evidence of continuity is then balanced by the unique circumstances of the early twentieth century - a time of turbulence and transition - and the distinctive pattern of utopianism that emerged. An assessment is made of the overall impact of these experiments: were they marginal to society or did they provide important markers in a changing world? Finally, at the start of a new millennium, the question is asked as to why utopianism retains a hold on contemporary thought.