The Concept of Utopia

by Ruth Levitas

In this highly influential book, Ruth Levitas provides an excellent introduction to the meaning and importance of the concept of utopia, and explores a wealth of material drawn from literature and social theory to illustrate its rich history and analytical versatility. Situating utopia within the dynamics of the modern imagination, she examines the ways in which it has been used by some of the leading thinkers of Marx, Engels, Karl Mannheim, Robert Owen, Georges Sorel, Ernst Bloch, William Morris, and Herbert Marcuse. Utopia remains the most potent secular concept for imagining and producing a ‘better world’, and this classic text will be invaluable to students across a wide range of disciplines.

Genres: Nonfiction, Utopia, Theory, Literary Criticism, Philosophy, Politics

264 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1990

About the author

Ruth Levitas (born 15 May 1949 in London) is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Bristol. She is well known internationally for her research on utopia and utopian studies.

Her book, The Concept of Utopia (1990), addresses the notion of the ideal society throughout European history. Her follow-on book, Utopia as Method: The Imaginary Reconstitution of Society (2013), makes the case that 'utopia should be understood as a method rather than a goal.' She has formulated a program of sociology which is fundamentally utopian-focused in conventional sociological discourse.

In The Inclusive Society?: Social Exclusion and New Labour (2005), Levitas introduced the idea of social exclusion as part of the new political language. She also introduced the concepts of MUD (the moral underclass discourse), SID (the social integration discourse), and RED (the redistribution discourse), as tools for analysing social exclusion.

Reviews

[Keijo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why such a low rating here? This is THE best book on utopias you will find at the moment. Doing a dissertation on the topic myself, this book has been really helpful. Lucid and carefully planned book. Just loved it!

[G. S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding book for anyone trying to figure out his way in the realm of utopian theory. Levitas does not, indeed, provide the reader with her own theory but does something far more complicated: she describes in a logical and topical-guided fashion the most relevant theorists and theoriesin the utopian field from the end of the 19th century to current times (actually, just the 90's, but still...).

As I said, a super must for anyone in the utopian field of studies. I'd go as far as to tell them to read this work first as a guide to more complicated authors/themes. Only 4 stars because her treatment of anything non marxist is clearly lacking, specially the first part regarding the neoliberal/humanist paradigm of the 19th century. Other than that, very useful and clear.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of the field, history, and major works of utopian studies. I think Levitas does a good job comparing different utopist perspectives and outlining the major issues / debates within the field.

[Gonzalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read about 20 authors writing about utopias in many different books, both single author and compilations, for my final thesis. This is by far the best book on utopian philosophy of all. It is not perfect, it has mistakes: her definition of utopia could be improved and she gives her opinion about economics and ideologies (without arguing). Besides, it is necessary to have previous knowledge of the subject to understand everything well. Nevertheless it is very good and I recommend it.

[Santi · Rating 4 out of 5]

No wonder this is one of the classics of Utopian studies. She draws from philosophy and literature to define utopia and track how the concept has changed across history. It can hardly get more authoritative and well-researched as this. A truly pathbreaking work.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and formulated. Gives a good insight into what is necessary and what we can expect form a utopian society. A great introduction to the topic of utopia.

[Ahmed K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks