Charles Fourier's, later called a "utopian socialist"
by Marx, was one of the earliest to realize that while industry
could produce wealth, its methods of work were intensely alienating.
His proposal was for a type of work unit - called a Phalanx -
in which work was distributed on a rational and rotating basis.
Several phalanxes were set up in the United States, although none
succeeded for long. They idea, however, bore more significant
fruit in the institution of the kibbutz among Zionist settlers
in Palestine/Israel.
The spectacle of the wonders which the trial of The Phalanx will
produce such as (1) he tripling of he products of industry; (2)
industrial attraction; and (3) concord of the passions, ill suffice
to ransform the rich and great into active cooperators. . . In
the course of a few years he entire globe could be organized into
Phalanxess. . .They will be effected by the Passional Series substituted
in place of the present individual and incoherent system, from
which the human race has reaped only indigence, fraud, oppression
and carnage. . .There exists for Man a unitary destiny--a Divine
social order to be established on the earth for the regulation
of the social and domestic relations of the human race. . . It
is the height of folly to wish to improve a system which is radically
defective in its nature! It is only reproducing the same evil
under other forms. The real task of political economy is to seek
an outlet from civilization, not to perfect it. There is then
but a very small minority who accept and adhere to the civilized
state as now organized. This minority is composed of men of leisure
and fortune. As to social liberty, the poor classes are wholly
deprived of it. . .If, then, civilization pretends to elevate
men to liberty combined with industry, it must insure him a satisfactory
equivalent for the loss of his natural rights. . .
Liberty, unless enjoyed by all, is unreal and illusory. . .to
secure liberty a Social Order is necessary which shall (1) Discover
and organize a system of industry; (2) Guarantee to every individual
the equivalent of their natural rights; and (3) Associate the
interests of rich and poor. It is only on these conditions the
masses can be secured a minimum of comfortable subsistence and
enjoyment of all social pleasures. Man has seven natural rights:
(1) Gathering of Natural Products; (2) Pasturage; (3) Fishing;
(4) Hunting; (5) Interior Federation (association with others);
(6) Freedom from care; (7) External marauding (to pillage others).
The present system of Commerce was the growth of circumstance
and accident. Never did such a system better deserve condemnation
as being vicious and corrupt. What is the power to intervene to
repress this fraud? Government. To elevate Nature Humanity must
create and organize a perfect system of industry, discover and
perfect the physical sciences, and establish on a peaceful and
industrial basis an order of Society that will direct its labors
to the work of terrestrial cultivation and improvement. To elevate
itself Humanity must create the Fine Arts, discover the Sciences
and establish an order which will lead to social harmony. Under
a true organization of Commerce, property would be abolished,
the Mercantile classes become agents for trade of industrial goods
and Commerce would then be the servant of Society.
We are amazed when we calculate the benefits which would result
from a union of 1600-1800 persons occupying a vast and elegant
edifice in which they would find apartments of various sizes,
tables at different prices, varied occupations and everything
that can abridge, facilitate and give a charm to labor. . .The
Phalanx will produce an amount of wealth tenfold greater then
the present. The system allows for a multitude of economies of
operations and sales which will increase the return enormously.
. .The officers are chosen from among the experienced and skillful
members--men, women and children, each elected from the members
of the Phalanx. . .By means of short industrial sessions everyone
will be enabled to take part in seven or eight different attractions
with industry not now done, and will eliminate discord of all
kinds. A refinement of taste will be cultivated. Minute division
of labor will increase production and lower costs. It requires
a tract of land three miles square, well-watered, flanked by a
forest. The personal and real estate of the Phalanx will be represented
by stock divided into shares. Each Phalanx will engage in both
agriculture and industry. Meals will be in common but there will
be at least three different tables with different prices and children
will have their own tables, separate from the adults. The Phalanx
will construct a vast and regular edifice suited to material and
social needs, modified only by topography, climate and national
experience. The only buildings not connected being the stables,
barns, factories, kitchens, and warehouses. The aim is to be self-sufficient
in both the agricultural and industrial spheres. Plus there will
be laid-out gardens, grounds for physical exercise, and so forth,
all, including the edifice logically laid out. We shall see people
engaged in attractive occupations, giving no thoughts to material
wants, free from all pecuniary cares and anxieties. As women and
children all work, there will be no idlers, all will earn more
than they consume. Universal happiness and gaiety will reign.
A unity of interests and views will arise, crime and violence
disappear. There will be no individual dependence---no private
servants, only maids, cooks, and so forth all working for all
(when they please). Elegance and luxury will be had by all. The
Phalanx will be devoted to the service of useful labor, of the
sciences, the arts, and of the culinary department. They will
render Industry attractive and end the evil distinction between
Producers and Consumers. Unity of manners and civility will reign,
acquired by universal free edcuation---but study in the schools
should occupy a subordinate place, connected with labors in the
gardens and workshops. To secure the execution of uncleanly and
offensive labors a body of youths--those attracted to much dirty
work (youngsters aged nine to sixteen, composed of one-third girls,
two-thirds boys)--what we shall call the Juvenile Legion--who
shall perform them all. The young love to wade in the mire and
play in dirt, are self-willed, rude, daring, and fond of gross
language. From a sense of honor the Juvenile Legion will do the
dirty jobs--highway repair, cleaning the stables, feeding and
slaughtering animals, maintaining the buildings, and so forth.
Source:
Charles Fourier, Theory of Social Organization
(New York: C. P. Somerby, 1876).
Scanned by Jerome S. Arkenberg, Dept. of History, Cal. State Fullerton
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(c)Paul Halsall May1998
