[close] IDEAL COMMONWEALTHS contains four exercises in dream politics; social programmes which are at the same time early works of science fiction.

UTOPIA (1516), by the Tudor statesman and Catholic martyr, Sir Thomas More describes a communist society austerely dedicated to organized happiness.

THE NEW ATLANTIS (1629), by James I's Lord Chancellor, Sir Francis Bacon, describes a South Pacific community committed to scientific research; doing pioneering work in aeronautical and submarine technology and in genetic engineering.

THE CITY OF THE SUN (1602-3), by the Italian occultist Tomaso Campanella, is located on an island in the Indian Ocean. Its inhabitants participate in organized sexual intercourse and practise eugenics.

THE COMMONWEALTH OF OCEANA (1656), by James Harrington, former attendant of Charles I, is a republic where there is complete freedom of worship (except for Jews and idolators). It is an important commentary on English society in the seventeenth century and a reply to Hobbes' LEVIATHAN.

IDEAL COMMONWEALTHS will appeal to the political scientist and all those with an interest in historical fantasy and science fiction. [close]