Exploring the Utopian Impulse

Essays on Utopian Thought and Practice

By: Michael J. Griffin (Editor), Tom Moylan (Editor)

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eBook | 16 February 2015 | Edition Number 1

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Exploring the Utopian Impulse presents a series of essays by an international and trans-disciplinary group of contributors that explores the nature and extent of the utopian impulse. Working across a range of historical periods and cultures, the essays investigate key aspects of utopian theory, texts, and socio-political practices. Even as some critique Utopia, others extend its reach beyond the limits of the modern western tradition within which utopianism has usually been understood. The explorations offered herein will take readers over familiar ground in new ways as well as carry them into new territories of hope and engagement.

Industry Reviews

«As the second volume in the Ralahine Utopian Studies series, this volume is notable for the quality of the individual essays and for its clear and useful organization (into theory, texts, and polities). The essays will be useful to both established and new scholars for research as well as teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. What particularly impresses me is the set of theoretical interventions with which the volume begins. These opening essays take off from the ground-breaking work of Darko Suvin, Lyman Tower Sargent, and Fredric Jameson and break out into new and challenging directions. The overall effect of this volume is to demonstrate in all its pages how vital utopian thinking has become in our contemporary, fragmented, disintegrating world.» (Professor Toby Widdicombe, Department of English, University of Alaska, Editor, 'Utopian Studies')
«This timely book broadens our view of the central issues in utopian studies today. By discussing the transformative energy of Utopia from a threefold perspective - theory, texts, and polities - it sets out to prove the validity and the growing importance of this field of study and of utopian thought and practice itself. Carefully edited, the book gathers essays which interact in a multidisciplinary dialogue. Drawing on a wide range of critical resources, it offers new and important insights into known and unexplored territories. 'Exploring the Utopian Impulse' is destined to become a standard reference for all those interested in rethinking the utopian impulse.» (Professor Fatima Vieira, Department of Anglo-American Studies, University of Porto, Chair, Utopian Studies Society (Europe))