Utopias, from Owen's New Lanark to the full range, theoretical and actual

[QuentinDeakin]

The speakers for the society's meeting on November 17th 2025, Quentin and Liz Deakin, gave paired presentations entitled 'New Lanark to New Harmony - Utopias'. Quentin's talk continued the story of Robert Owen's innovations at New Lanark which attracted international acclaim for the improved workers' conditions and rights and the education of orphan and other working children, all of which were far in advance of prevalent norms in Britain in the early nineteenth century. The talk explored the significance of Owen's own experience as a child worker and later in Manchester as a young man. From New Lanark Owen attempted an even more utopian scheme at New Harmony in the mid-west of America and later schemes in Ireland and England, none of which were successful. To conclude, Dr Deakin listed Owen's achievements, set against the accusations of his detractors. Owen remains a major figure in the history of socialism.

After the refreshment break, during which Di Drummond took bookings for the Christmas meal on December 18th, Liz Deakin gave a second talk - an overview and wide-ranging exploration of utopias. She described utopias in theory and in literature, contrasted to those put into action. Examples ranged from mythical Golden Ages and Classical Greek and Roman cultures (around 500BC), on which European civilization is based. She used a detailed account of Thomas More's Utopia (1516), as a key text from which to travel backwards and forwards through the centuries to the present day. The talk described utopias which did not and could never exist, in contrast to those that have been tried and often floundered or became dystopias. At present, dystopian narratives have become dominant.

Both talks were well researched and illustrated. Questions and comments followed and the speakers were thanked for fascinating and thought provoking presentations.