Fourier: 'The Theory of the Four Movements'

Download or read book Fourier: 'The Theory of the Four Movements' written by Charles Fourier and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1996-02-22 with total page 366 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This remarkable book, written soon after the French Revolution, has traditionally been considered one of the founding documents in the history of socialism. It introduces the best-known and most extraordinary utopia written in the last two centuries. Charles Fourier was among the first to formulate a right to a minimum standard of life. His radical approach involved a systematic critique of work, marriage and patriarchy, together with a parallel right to a sexual minimum. He also proposed a comprehensive alternative to the Christian religion. Finally, through the medium of a bizarre and extraordinary cosmology, Fourier argued that the poor state of the planet is the result of the evil practices of civilisation. Translated into English, this classic text will be of particular interest to students and scholars of the history of sexuality and feminism, political thought and socialism.