Our coming world

In Short

This book serves as a didactic manifesto disguised as a work of speculative fiction. It follows a group of Earthmen who, through a series of interplanetary journeys, witness a utopian Martian society that has eliminated poverty, class conflict, and the "moneyism" that the author believes cripples humanity. By contrasting the enlightened, technologically advanced Martian lifestyle with the harsh realities of mid-century American economic struggles, the text argues for a fundamental restructuring of society. It remains a curious artifact of post-WWII idealism, blending visionary social planning with deep-seated grievances against global financial systems.

The Story

The narrative begins with a deeply cynical narrator, a man haunted by the horrors of the Second World War and the inherent inequalities he sees in everyday life. Convinced that the existing economic system is a "festering cancer," he seeks a solution to the world's turmoil. His quest takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Lieutenant Balmore and his crew, who have returned from a secret, life-changing journey to Mars.

The story unfolds through the testimonies of these travelers, who describe a planet where human potential is not stifled by greed. On Mars, they report, there are no banks, no stock exchanges, and no "dollar aristocracies." Instead, the Martians have harnessed natural forces, like atomic and solar energy, to create an automated, abundant, and egalitarian society. The travelers describe a world where labor is a service rather than a struggle, where the elderly are honored as the governing wisdom, and where racial harmony is maintained through strict social order and shared prosperity.

The narrative shifts between the awe of the travelers and their growing, painful shame regarding Earth's conditions. They detail the plight of the disabled, the elderly, and the impoverished in American cities, contrasting these scenes with the frictionless, automated efficiency of Martian life. The travelers argue that the Martian model is not just a dream but a practical, workable antidote to Earth’s systemic decay.

The arc reaches its climax when the travelers, having been denied permanent residency on Mars because they must first "clean their own house," return to Earth with a mission. They present a proposal to the American government: to allocate territory, such as a group of Pacific islands, where veterans and young families can colonize and experiment with the Martian economic model. The book concludes with a hopeful, albeit eerie, coda. Lieutenant Balmore and his crew choose to return to Mars permanently, marrying Martian women and finding true happiness. They send back a final message of gratitude and hope, leaving the narrator to finalize his treatise as a bridge between the two worlds. The message is clear: if humanity can adopt these new economic ideas, a peaceful global transition to a better world is possible.

How It Unfolds

The encounter begins The narrator meets Lieutenant Balmore, a traveler who has witnessed a superior way of life on Mars. Through his testimony, the reader learns of a planet that has successfully bypassed the pitfalls of human greed.

A glimpse of the red planet The narrative describes a society defined by magnificent architecture, advanced air-purifying technology, and a total absence of urban clutter. The visitors are subjected to strict quarantine, emphasizing the Martians' protective stance toward their own pristine environment.

The Martian social order The travelers explain the Martian system of governance and labor. They describe a society where age brings authority, education is a lifelong pursuit, and the basic needs of every citizen are met as a matter of right.

The mirror of Earth’s misery The travelers recount their observations of poverty and exploitation in American cities to highlight the contrast with Mars. This serves as the moral center of the book, deepening the narrator's resolve to demand systemic change.

The proposal for change Balmore and his fellow travelers petition the government for land to start a colonial experiment. They argue that if this model succeeds, it will provide a template for global peace and the eventual end of the "moneyism" system.

A final departure The travelers choose to abandon Earth for a permanent life on Mars. Their departure leaves behind a sense of finality and a lingering, haunting hope for the transformation of "Our Coming World."

The People

The narrator serves as the moral anchor, a man humbled by his experiences and deeply pained by the suffering he witnesses. He wants to synthesize his observations into a cohesive message for humanity, hoping to spark a revolution of kindness and economic reform. Lieutenant Balmore is the primary witness; he is handsome, athletic, and profoundly changed by his time on Mars. Having found a utopia, he is initially torn between his duty to his home planet and his desire to return to the peace he found with his Martian wife, Xora. Xora represents the Martian ideal—welcoming, sophisticated, and living in a world of abundance. The Martian leader, Sun-Rank Banard, acts as a wise mentor who provides the visitors with the information they need to critique their own society, while firmly insisting that humanity must solve its own problems before it can join the wider cosmic community.

In Its Own Voice

"Mankind as a whole would be humane if it were not for the false system that our ancestors have created and planted in our world."

The author reflects on the fundamental source of human cruelty as a product of social systems rather than individual nature.

"I saw no sewer polluted, and unsanitary river waters, no mobile traffic, no autos, busses, trolleys, or other moving vehicles."

The narrator describes the clean, orderly, and highly efficient urban landscape encountered upon first landing on Mars.

"The Martians, flying like birds, with large wing attachments on their arms, and red lights on their heads."

This detail captures the imaginative, almost surreal vision of Martian citizens that the travelers observe as they approach the city.

What It's Really About

At its heart, the book is a critique of "moneyism"—the author's term for the totalizing effect of capital on human character. It argues that the competitive, profit-driven nature of the 20th-century economy is a "festering cancer" that distorts human nature, turning potentially benevolent people into "predatory animals." The core question is whether humanity can choose to prioritize human well-being and scientific progress over monetary gain. The text posits that scarcity is largely artificial and that with proper planning, technological integration, and a focus on communal rather than private wealth, society could transition to an age of abundance. It is an argument for systemic empathy, suggesting that human history is a tragedy of self-imposed, avoidable suffering.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of utopian thought or the mid-century American psyche will find this book particularly illuminating. It captures a specific, post-war moment of profound anxiety, where the promise of atomic-age technology collided with the trauma of global conflict. You will feel the weight of the author's sincerity; he writes with an urgent, sometimes desperate, desire to save humanity from its own worst impulses.

However, the book is not without its difficulties. The prose is often utilitarian and repetitive, heavily laden with footnotes, economic statistics, and long-winded dialogues that prioritize the argument over narrative flow. A modern reader must also navigate the period-specific attitudes of 1951, including the author's emphasis on racial segregation as a tool for maintaining "purity," a concept that is presented as a virtue within the Martian utopia. These passages are jarring and reflect the racial anxieties of the mid-20th century. Despite these limitations, the book remains a fascinating document of a dreamer trying to reconcile the cold, harsh realities of 1950s capitalism with a vision of a world where human needs come before profit. It stays with you as a testament to the belief that, even in the darkest times, it is possible to imagine a completely different way of living.