2011 Book Blog – Utopia

Anyone who thinks Thomas More’s Utopia is to be taken seriously hasn’t read it, or if they quote it to back their socialist opinions, they are most likely taking the quotes out of context.

In Book One, we see the condemnation of the killing of thieves – because it’s not their fault that they’re thieves. Then in giving the example of how thieves should be treated, that is, if everyone works for the “good” of the whole, then there wouldn’t be thievery. However, he goes on, if a thief is caught, they have to work but no one can talk to them. If anyone talks to them, they’re put to death. Not the thief, rather the person who talked to the thief.

In Book Two he goes on to give the Utopians view of how life should be. It is so ludicrous that one simply can’t take it seriously. Everyone works (except certain rulers/judges), everyone wears the same clothes, everyone shares their homes (i.e. you might stay in one house for a while, then move into another with another family for a while, and just rotate through the houses in the village), you’re not even allowed to eat in the house you’re staying in. You have to eat in a communal setting – where everyone is seated according to their “class” which shouldn’t exist – also, you don’t own anything, everything is given to the State. After all, if you don’t have to worry about where you live, what you wear or what you eat, why do you need money?

As you read about their stance on warfare, you see their brutality. Though they won’t go to war for themselves, they’re merciless when avenging others. They’ll hire mercenaries to assassinate people and… well it just gets farcical.

If you like satire (which I do) this is a great book. If you’re looking to use it to promote socialism, More will roll over in his grave.