Ideal Commonwealths

In Short

This collection brings together pivotal utopian narratives, tracing the historical evolution of ideal societies through ancient traditions, Renaissance visions, and satirical commentary. It begins with Plato's philosophical framework and the myth of Atlantis, moves through Plutarch's account of Spartan discipline, and examines Thomas More's Utopia alongside Francis Bacon's New Atlantis. It continues through Tommaso Campanella's City of the Sun to Joseph Hall's satirical Mundus Alter et Idem. These texts collectively demonstrate how political philosophy, communal living, scientific progress, and cultural satire have been deployed across centuries to reimagine human governance and ethics.

The Story

The narrative arc begins in antiquity with Plato's examination of justice, wisdom, and temperance. Socrates posits that the character of man is mirrored in the structure of the state, dividing society into Guardians, Auxiliaries, and Producers. This ideal is contrasted with the fable of Atlantis, a mighty naval power that grew corrupt through ambition and was ultimately defeated by a virtuous, temperate Athenian forces before being swallowed by the sea during natural catastrophes.

The historical focus shifts to Sparta, where the lawgiver Lycurgus institutes radical social reforms to enforce total civic unity. Private wealth and lawsuits are banished in favor of strict equality, public dining tables, and rigorous education. Citizens live like a collective organism, prioritizing public duty over personal desire, while finding levity in shared humor and exercise.

The vision advances into the early modern era with Thomas More's account of Utopia. Narrated through conversations with Cardinal John Morton and the traveler Raphael Hythloday, this section sharply critiques European justice and dynastic wars. It introduces the meticulously planned city of Amaurot, built along the Anider River. Utopia operates through communal property, economic equity, shared agricultural surplus, and a pragmatic foreign policy that uses its vast gold reserves to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. The Utopian ethos balances intellectual growth with structured pleasure and religious tolerance.

Francis Bacon expands this journey with New Atlantis, describing a crew of sailors rescued by the pious, highly organized island nation of Bensalem. Guided by the Christian priest governing the House of Strangers and the Jewish merchant Joabin, the visitors learn of a society founded on chastity, family honor, and scientific inquiry. At the core of Bensalem sits Solomon's House, an institution dedicated to understanding natural laws through advanced laboratories, acoustics, mechanics, and experimental technology.

Tommaso Campanella introduces the City of the Sun, a community ruled by Hoh, a leader chosen for supreme wisdom and universal scientific knowledge rather than hereditary right. The state eliminates private ownership and aligns daily labor with natural aptitudes, fostering collective military training, public education, and a cosmic theology that views God as the ultimate source of power, wisdom, and love.

The narrative arc concludes on a satirical note with the land of Pamphagonia. Reversing the noble ideals of previous commonwealths, this society centers on gluttony, where education focuses on eating, public houses replace libraries, and citizens are judged by their physical capacity to consume.

How It Unfolds

The foundation of the republic Socrates defines justice through the harmonious interaction of wisdom, courage, and temperance across three social classes, setting the intellectual template for the ideal state.

The legend of Atlantis Critias relates how an ancient, virtuous Athenian society successfully repelled an invasion by the ambitious kings of Atlantis before environmental disasters swept both civilizations away.

The Spartan discipline Lycurgus transforms Lacedaemon into an egalitarian military state by replacing private wealth with common meals, public education, and an unyielding commitment to the collective good.

The critique of Europe In conversation with Cardinal Morton, Raphael Hythloday exposes the futility of brutal punishments for theft and the destructive territorial ambitions of European monarchs.

The order of Amaurot The Utopian capital is established as a model of urban planning, resource distribution, and treasury management, where gold is held in low esteem and war is avoided through strategy.

Arrival in Bensalem Shipwrecked sailors are welcomed by the governor of the House of Strangers into a sanctuary of order, piety, and hospitality governed by strict health and legal guidelines.

The wisdom of Solomon's House Joabin and the island's scholars reveal their vast scientific apparatus, demonstrating advanced developments in optics, acoustics, engine design, and experimental medicine.

The Solar governance A sea captain describes the City of the Sun, where the supreme ruler Hoh guides a property-free society based on scientific proficiency, natural inclination, and cosmic philosophy.

The descent into Pamphagonia The journey ends in a absurd realm dedicated entirely to overindulgence, where drinking vessels replace books and social advancement depends on appetite.

The People

Socrates Socrates seeks to understand the true nature of justice within the individual soul. By examining how an ideal city operates, he attempts to prove that wisdom, bravery, and temperance create the only stable foundation for human happiness and societal harmony.

Lycurgus The legendary Spartan lawgiver wants to eradicate factionalism, avarice, and moral decay from his city. By outlawing currency, mandating public repasts, and establishing strict social habits, he turns Sparta into a single-minded collective dedicated entirely to civic virtue.

Raphael Hythloday A seasoned traveler who has witnessed both the corruption of European courts and the tranquility of Utopia. He seeks to challenge prevailing notions of law, property, and governance by advocating for radical social equity and peaceful diplomacy over monarchical greed.

Cardinal John Morton A wise and deliberate English prelate who listens to critiques of the legal system with patience and intellectual curiosity. He acts as a grounded, experienced statesman who balances traditional authority with an open mind toward social reform.

Joabin A learned Jewish merchant living in Bensalem who appreciates the island’s exceptional moral purity and laws. He acts as an informant to foreign visitors, explaining the nation's customs regarding marriage, lineage, and social cohesion.

Hoh The supreme magistrate of the City of the Sun who possesses comprehensive knowledge of all sciences, arts, and natural laws. He governs without tyranny, using his intellect to align human society with divine order.

In Its Own Voice

"For as the severity was too great, so the remedy was not effectual; simple theft not being so great a crime that it ought to cost a man his life, no punishment how severe soever being able to restrain those from robbing who can find out no other way of livelihood."

A traveler in Thomas More's section challenges an English lawyer during a dinner with Cardinal Morton, arguing that economic reform is superior to capital punishment.

"We have also sound-houses, where we practise and demonstrate all sounds and their generation."

A guide in Francis Bacon's New Atlantis details the state's advanced scientific facilities dedicated to acoustic research and experimental technology.

"Our Hoh, a man really the most capable to rule, is for all that never cruel nor wicked, nor a tyrant, inasmuch as he possesses so much wisdom."

A sea captain in Tommaso Campanella's section explains why supreme intellectual competence is the primary requirement for political leadership.

What It's Really About

The collection investigates the fundamental relationship between human nature, social organization, and the exercise of authority. At its core, it asks whether a state should be designed to cultivate moral virtue, generate scientific progress, or simply maintain order. By contrasting different models—such as the austere military communalism of Sparta, the rational economic planning of Utopia, and the research-driven prosperity of Bensalem—the text explores how property, education, and law shape individual behavior. The underlying argument suggests that societal evils stem not from innate human depravity, but from flawed institutions, unjust laws, and the corrupting influence of unbridled wealth and ambition.

Why Read It Today

This volume provides a foundational overview of Western political thought for readers interested in how thinkers throughout history have envisioned a better world. Reading these selections reveals the origins of modern concepts regarding human rights, public education, urban planning, and scientific research.

The prose varies significantly across sections, reflecting the eras in which the texts were generated. Readers will encounter dense philosophical dialogues, formal Renaissance phrasing, and archaic vocabulary that require deliberate attention. The historical and period attitudes—such as archaic views on foreign populations, strict class hierarchies, and occasional religious ethnocentrism—demand a reflective, context-aware approach. However, the intellectual rewards are substantial. The collection remains strikingly modern in its critique of economic inequality, unnecessary warfare, and systemic legal failures, offering timeless perspectives on what it truly means to build a just society.