Utopian Socialism in Britain

federica falchi

2025-01-01

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Abstract

In the first half of the nineteenth century, early socialism, which Marx and Engels called utopian socialism, spread in the United Kingdom. The main feature of utopian socialism was the ambition to inspire a new science of humanity and a society that would promote and solidify the principles of community and equality, including between men and women, through a series of reforms designed to affect economic, legal, and political institutions. Although Robert Owen is considered the founder of utopian socialism in the United Kingdom, this chapter explores the contribution made by women to the development of utopian socialism. Particular attention is given to Anna Doyle Wheeler and Frances Wright. Even though they started from an adherence to Owen’s principles, they enriched the meaning of utopian socialism and made it more impactful than Owen’s version, especially concerning the issues of slaves and women.