In Book one, page 543, Raphael states, “So I reflect on the wonderfully wise and sacred institutions of the Utopians, who are so well governed with so few laws.” Yet, as I read Utopia, all I saw were laws. Although “rules” are throughout the book, for this rumination I’m focusing just on the many rules in place in the section on Social Relations (pages 553-556).
Right away, I have to say that I wouldn’t picture a Utopian society as one that could just move people, “transferring individuals from a household with too many into a household with not enough. Likewise, if a city has too many people, the extra persons serve to make up a shortage of population in other cities”. Who makes that decision and who makes the decision on who is to move, separating families and loved ones?
Let’s skip to mealtime. Everyone in the city is required to eat together in one communal area. How very generous that the first people served are those in the hospital. The rest is given out fairly, that is, except for the “special regard” to the governor, the high priest, etc. They even have rules in place on who sits next to whom, with the children standing around and waiting to be handed food that someone feels like giving them. Laws or rules, what’s the difference?
The next thing that really struck me was the preparation that the Utopians had for war. For a people that were so against war, they were certainly prepared for it. The lay out of the island itself is perfect for defense. War was mentioned right in the beginning of book 2, with the description of the island. From the channels that are known only to the Utopians, the garrison in the tower on a rock, and a well-fortified coast that could be defended using only a few Utopians for defense to the lay out of the cities, like Amaurot. The description of the cities tells how they are surrounded by thick high walls, and ditches that are filled with thorn hedges.
It is mentioned that Utopians are “ashamed when their forces gain a bloody victory”. They also, however, “exult mightily” if they overcome their enemies using skill and cunning. (pg. 575) From this book, it appears they are very well prepared warriors. It is even stated that “they try to take such bitter revenge on those who have injured them that they will be afraid to ever do it again.”
I also found it interesting that this peaceful people feel it’s “perfectly justifiable to make war on people who leave their land idle and waste, yet forbid the use of it to others who, by the law of nature, ought to be supported from it”. (pg. 554). They’ve given themselves a perfectly reasonable explanation to just take what they want. If natives aren’t willing to conform to Utopian law, they wage war and just kicked them out!
These are two things that really struck me while reading Utopia, as well as the slavery that others have already mentioned. The very strict “rules” they have probably scare the citizens into complying. Did I miss, however, any mention of anyone else leaving this society, other than Raphael, who wanted to share his experience?
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