Louis Kern suggests in An Ordered Love that the manifestation of utopian ideals displays a 'general agreement in their opposition to the economic arrangements, the moral code, and the social organization of the broader … society.' Thus, when looking at how the ideas of war and peace are expressed in utopian literature, it is by considering the issues of economics, morality, and sociology that an understanding of the true nature and scope of these works can be reached. In fact, utopian movements tend to be revolutionary in that they are an attempt to overthrow the status quo and provide an alternate way of life. It is important to realize, however, that in some instances, this idea of peace does not prevent the eventuality of war and discord. Regardless of the forum it is presented in, at the heart of the utopian ideal is a peaceful, perfected existence. The utopian ideal has found expression throughout history in a variety of formats, including religious and cultural movements, political and economic ideology, and literary expression. Negley suggest that a 'utopia represents … one of the noblest aspirations of man … to dream of better world.' This noble aspiration for a better world is quite significant when one considers that attempts to reshape reality into a perfect model have appeared throughout the history of civilization. It is sometimes the case that one person's utopia is another person's prison.Ĭoined by Sir Thomas More in 1516 in his work of the same title, utopia (Greek for 'no place') has come to mean an ideally perfect state. Though the quest for these utopian ideals is essentially a quest for a peaceful society, it has at times sparked revolution, war, and bloodshed. Either way, the dream of making a perfect world has become so much a part of the human existence that it has been given its own name: utopia.

Some have considered changing certain political aspects to create an ideal society, and others have concentrated on economic factors. Although it may sound like something asked by a panel of judges at a Miss America pageant, it is a question that numerous writers and thinkers have attempted to answer. The possibilities are nearly endless and certainly everyone has their own personal answer to that dilemma. Still, others would consider a world free from financial burdens to be ideal. For others, it would be a world based on equality for all races, creeds, and genders. For some, it would be a society without war or violence. The idea of a perfect world can be uniquely individual.

Wells a modern utopia