The communal idea in the 21st century
By: edited by Eliezer Ben-Rafael, Yaacov Oved, Menachem Topel
Contributors: Ṭopel, Menaḥem
Series: International comparative social studies -- 30
Publisher: Brill
Published: 2013
Place of publication: Leiden; Boston
Language: eng
Number of pages: 351
ISBN-13: 9789004207455; 9789004236257
Subjects: Collective settlements; Communal living; Utopian socialism
Description: "The idea of a better society as associated with the communal idea is investigated from both theoretical perspectives and through contemporary experiences around the world. This idea leaves nobody indifferent. Whatever the hardship that its concretization implies, however, once it does materialize, it cannot, as such avoid new challenges, tensions and unexpected claims. This means, at varying degrees, negations of, and removals from, the "utopian inspiration". Humans are able to create unprecedented conditions of life under most ambitious inspirations, but are unable to safeguard their achievements from change, alterations and contradictions. In this, however, another aspect of the utopian realizations is that they ultimately leave room for new utopist thinking and enrolment. As far, indeed, the utopian inspiration draws its vitality from potent civilizational codes, its renewal from ashes is as unavoidable as its self-betrayal through materialization."--Publisher's website.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.