The Co-opolitan: A Story of the Co-operative Commonwealth of Idaho

In Short

Set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this narrative follows a group of reformers who choose Idaho as the site for their "Co-operative Commonwealth." By pooling resources and focusing on economic rather than merely political power, they establish a thriving, non-competitive society that eventually expands its influence to the Pacific coast. It is a work of speculative political theory dressed in the garb of a novel, intended to persuade readers that a radical, equitable reorganization of society is not only possible but inevitable through the ballot and cooperative labor.

The Story

The narrative begins with a vision: a group of dedicated reformers, numbering in the thousands, recognize that traditional political protest is insufficient against the "substantial business interests" of the era. They reject the idea of violent upheaval, choosing instead to concentrate their votes and financial assets within a single state—Idaho—to capture its political machinery. After scouting the landscape, they settle in a valley and establish the city of Co-opolis, a communal hub built on the principles of shared labor and the abolition of the profit motive.

The early years are defined by intense, pragmatic work. They operate stores, farms, and hospitals, using their own labor-check system to bypass the traditional currency they find exploitative. As the commonwealth grows, so does its influence. The state legislature, now dominated by these Co-operators, enacts reforms, reducing salaries for officials and abolishing corporate privileges. A constitutional convention is held in 1903, which solidifies the commonwealth's structure. The society thrives, creating a robust, stable economy where production is matched to human need rather than market speculation.

The story tracks the expansion of this model as the movement gains popularity. Even the criminal justice system is restructured; prisons become productive farms and factories that support the elderly and sick. By 1910, the "Industrial Army" includes over a million people. The movement’s success eventually reaches the coast, where Seattle adopts the Co-operative model, becoming a major seaport for the commonwealth.

As the years pass, the protagonist, who serves as a leader in the publishing department, reflects on the triumph of their experiment. The final chapters delve into the society’s internal philosophy: the rejection of inheritance to ensure equal opportunity, the role of education, and the complete displacement of the old "competitive system." The narrative concludes on a serene note, contrasting the initial, arduous struggle for existence with the mature, peaceful, and prosperous civilization of 1912. The author presents this history as a retrospective prophecy, asserting that once the people recognize the power of the ballot and collective action, the "barbaric feudalism" of the commercial age will inevitably give way to a more humane, cooperative order.

How It Unfolds

The mandate for change A convention is called to select the state that will serve as the cradle for a new Co-operative Commonwealth. The speakers argue that the American system of sovereign states provides the perfect environment to prove that the machinery of production belongs to the people.

Establishing the base The pioneers arrive in an Idaho valley, purchasing a ranch and transforming the primitive landscape into a productive center. They establish essential services—a store, a hospital, and a hotel—that prove immediately more successful than the rough, private enterprises of the existing camps.

The political shift With the growth of the Co-operative population, the state legislature passes laws that signal a definitive break from the past. They reduce public salaries and rewrite the constitution to codify the principles of communal property and labor-based exchange.

The expansion of influence The model proves so resilient that it attracts new members and begins to incorporate surrounding territories. Seattle transitions into a co-operative city, allowing the commonwealth to establish international trade routes and solidify its economic independence.

Reflecting on the future The narrative concludes with the leaders discussing the society’s evolution and its permanence. They contrast their current state of abundance and equality against the "barbaric" competitive system that once dominated the country.

The People

The protagonist serves as the narrator and the head of the publishing department, providing a steady, administrative view of the commonwealth’s growth. He is an earnest believer in the power of organized labor and is deeply committed to the movement’s educational mission.

The Governor is the movement's intellectual and physical embodiment, described as having a "strange commingling of love and command." He possesses a masterful presence that unites the diverse members of the Industrial Army, and his speeches guide the convention toward a constitution that avoids "straitjacketing" the new state.

Mrs. Braden, the narrator’s wife, represents the cultural life of the commonwealth. Her novel, The West Parish, serves as a pivotal piece of literature that crystallizes the Co-operator’s case against the competitive system, proving that the arts can thrive within a collective society.

Hickman acts as the primary antagonist—a "financial Talleyrand" who attempts to infiltrate the movement and manipulate its credit and bond structures. He represents the lingering influence of the old, self-serving competitive system that seeks to corrupt the new order from within.

Charlie Woodberry is a member of the younger generation, born or raised into the transition. His presence and questioning reflect the future of the commonwealth, as he learns about the world of money and competition as if it were a strange, antiquated history.

In Its Own Voice

“The motives of the robber baron of the dark ages and the self-serving organizer of trusts to-day do not differ, and if in the dark ages the one, by force of arms, held possession of fertile valleys and exacted tribute from neighboring peoples, the other by fraud monopolizes an industry and seeks to crush out all competitors.”

The narrator draws a sharp line between the feudal past and the commercial present, explaining why the co-operative movement is the necessary next step in human progress.

“It is a system whereby a favored few are permitted to rob the many.”

A character named Mr. Richardson summarizes the core grievance against the competitive system during a debate over the nature of character and independence.

“If a man is frugal and spends but little of his monthly credit he does not lose it during his life.”

The narrator clarifies how individual savings and labor credits are managed within the commonwealth, emphasizing the lack of traditional banking.

What It's Really About

The central argument is that the "competitive system" is not a natural law but a form of "barbaric feudalism" that relies on the exploitation of the landless and the disinherited. The book posits that the ballot is a latent, supreme weapon that, when wielded by an educated and organized populace, can dismantle the monopoly of capital without the need for war or insurrection. It tackles questions of equity, the morality of inheritance, and the role of the state in providing for the "sick, aged and infirm." Ultimately, it is about the transition from a society of individualist "Shylocks" to one of brotherly love, where the collective management of resources ensures that every citizen possesses the dignity of work and the security of a guaranteed livelihood.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of utopian thought or the radical literature of the late 19th century will find this a fascinating specimen. It captures the fervor of the Populist and Socialist movements of the 1890s, offering a clear window into how reformers of that era imagined a "legal revolution." The prose is direct and earnest, reflecting the optimistic, didactic tone common to the social-reform fiction of the day.

However, the modern reader should be prepared for the book's limitations. It is deeply invested in the specific political anxieties of the 1890s, and its reliance on long, explanatory speeches can feel static to those accustomed to more character-driven narratives. The author’s view on "primitive" peoples and his rigid approach to social management reflect the period’s prevailing prejudices and paternalistic attitudes. Despite these hurdles, the book remains a compelling artifact of a time when the American imagination was actively trying to rewrite the rules of the economy. What stays with you is the sheer scale of the author's vision—the attempt to map out a complete, alternate social reality where the profit motive is replaced by an "Industrial Army" dedicated to the common good. It is a slow, thoughtful read, best suited for those who enjoy literature as a vehicle for political philosophy.