Alternative Worlds Imagined, 1500-1700: Essays on Radicalism, Utopianism and Reality (Palgrave Studies in Utopianism)

This book address the relationship between utopian and radical thought, particularly in the early modern period, and puts forward alternatives approaches to imagined ‘realities’. __Alternative Worlds Imagined, 1500-1700__ explores the nature and meaning of radicalism in a traditional society; the necessity of fiction both in rejecting and constructing the status quo; and the circumstances in which radical and utopian fictions appear to become imperative. In particular, it closely examines non-violence in Gerrard Winstanley’s thought; millennialism and utopianism as mutual critiques; form and substance in early modern utopianism/radicalism; Thomas More’s utopian theatre of interests; and James Harrington and the political necessity of narrative fiction. This detailed analysis underpins observations about the longer term historical significance and meaning of both radicalism and utopianism. This Book Address The Relationship Between Utopian And Radical Thought, Particularly In The Early Modern Period, And Puts Forward Alternatives Approaches To Imagined ?realities?. Alternative Worlds Imagined, 1500-1700 Explores The Nature And Meaning Of Radicalism In A Traditional Society; The Necessity Of Fiction Both In Rejecting And Constructing The Status Quo; And The Circumstances In Which Radical And Utopian Fictions Appear To Become Imperative. In Particular, It Closely Examines Non-violence In Gerrard Winstanley?s Thought; Millennialism And Utopianism As Mutual Critiques; Form And Substance In Early Modern Utopianism/radicalism; Thomas More?s Utopian Theatre Of Interests; And James Harrington And The Political Necessity Of Narrative Fiction. This Detailed Analysis Underpins Observations About The Longer Term Historical Significance And Meaning Of Both Radicalism And Utopianism. Radicalism In A Traditional Society : The Evaluation Of Radical Thought In The English Commonwealth 1649-1660 -- Reassessing Radicalism In A Traditional Society : Two Questions -- Conquering The Conquest : The Limits Of Non-violence In Gerrard Winstanley's Thought -- Formal Utopia/informal Millennium : The Struggle Between Form And Substance As A Context For Seventeenth-century Utopianism -- Against Formality : One Aspect Of The English Revolution -- Religion And The Struggle For Freedom In The English Revolution -- Thomas More's Utopia : Sources, Legacy And Interpretation -- Goodbye To Utopia : Thomas More's Utopian Conclusion -- James Harrington's Utopian Radicalism : Oceana And The Narration Of An Alternative World. J.c. Davis. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Preface 6 Contents 8 Chapter 1 Introduction 10 Chapter 2 Radicalism in a Traditional Society: The Evaluation of Radical Thought in the English Commonwealth 1649–1660 23 Chapter 3 Reassessing Radicalism in a Traditional Society: Two Questions 47 Introduction 47 Transformation of Rule 48 The Question of Language 53 Transformation of Rule Substantially Applied 54 The StateGovernment 55 Government and Society 58 Reassessing Some Mid-Seventeenth-Century Radicals: The Levellers, Winstanley, Harrington 65 The Levellers 65 Winstanley 68 Harrington 70 Three Radicalisms Reconsidered 71 Conclusion 73 Chapter 4 Conquering the Conquest: The Limits of Non-Violence in Gerrard Winstanley’s Thought 83 Chapter 5 Formal UtopiaInformal Millennium: The Struggle Between Form and Substance as a Context for Seventeenth-Century Utopianism 100 Chapter 6 Against Formality: One Aspect of the English Revolution 118 Chapter 7 Religion and the Struggle for Freedom in the English Revolution 146 I 146 II 148 III 149 IV 151 V 152 VI 155 VII 158 VIII 162 IX 165 Chapter 8 Thomas More’s Utopia: Sources, Legacy and Interpretation 179 Chapter 9 Goodbye to Utopia: Thomas More’s Utopian Conclusion 203 Chapter 10 James Harrington’s Utopian Radicalism: Oceana and the Narration of an Alternative World 211 Chapter 11 Conclusion 233 Index 247 Front Matter ....Pages i-viii Introduction (J. C. Davis)....Pages 1-13 Radicalism in a Traditional Society: The Evaluation of Radical Thought in the English Commonwealth 1649–1660 (J. C. Davis)....Pages 15-38 Reassessing Radicalism in a Traditional Society: Two Questions (J. C. Davis)....Pages 39-74 Conquering the Conquest: The Limits of Non-Violence in Gerrard Winstanley’s Thought (J. C. Davis)....Pages 75-91 Formal Utopia/Informal Millennium: The Struggle Between Form and Substance as a Context for Seventeenth-Century Utopianism (J. C. Davis)....Pages 93-110 Against Formality: One Aspect of the English Revolution (J. C. Davis)....Pages 111-138 Religion and the Struggle for Freedom in the English Revolution (J. C. Davis)....Pages 139-171 Thomas More’s Utopia: Sources, Legacy and Interpretation (J. C. Davis)....Pages 173-196 Goodbye to Utopia: Thomas More’s Utopian Conclusion (J. C. Davis)....Pages 197-204 James Harrington’s Utopian Radicalism: Oceana and the Narration of an Alternative World (J. C. Davis)....Pages 205-226 Conclusion (J. C. Davis)....Pages 227-240 Back Matter ....Pages 241-246