Keeping the Black Flag Flying: Anarchy, Utopia and the Politics of Nostalgia

Abstract

Reedy argues that utopianism provides a stimulus to critical thinking & practice by interrogating the idea of the good life. Anarchist utopianism is seen as worthy of further attention. The development of utopian thinking is addressed. Links between anarchist & poststructuralist theory are discussed. The work of William Morris is used to illustrate the critical value of utopian writing. It is concluded that utopianism is a challenge to intellectual quietism & that utopianism provides an escape from academic writing. J. Backman