UTOPIAN AND DYSTOPIAN VIEWS

Utopian and Dystopian Views: 1970-1980

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of “Utopian and Dystopian Views” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “The Utopian and Dystopian Views from 1970-1980” and its relation with the literature and the scenario of cold war. The research also analyzes many aspects of “Utopian and Dystopian Views” and tries to gauge its effect on the scenario that exists today. Finally the research enlightens the Utopian and Dystopian concepts that cover diverse conceptions that existed between 1970 and 1980 and measure its impact back then and now.

Utopian and Dystopian Views: 1970-1980

Introduction

Utopia is a Greek word that represents ideal community of society. Utopian ideology is concerned with literary dialects that state the society as an ideal and perfect institution that has no any flaw. According to utopian conception society is an institution that is based on the social, political, legal and cultural platforms. These are the basic ingredients of the society and in order to make society an ideal place its political, legal and cultural system should be flawless. The dominant utopian literary form from about the mid-twentieth century has been science fiction. Yet there is a quite distinct literary form that explores these ambiguities in different ways.

Nevertheless, most of the researchers regard the concept of utopia as a myth because according to several analyses on different societies it has been realized that the societal system lacks perfection. There are several factors that have a tremendous impact on the society and the way it is governed. Some of these factors are controllable and some cannot be controlled. However, their existence in the system cannot be denied. The particular ways in which post-colonial writers and thinkers negotiate such ambiguities create a distinct form of cultural and political hope (Bellamy, 2000). The forms of utopianism emergent in post-colonial writing a utopianism almost completely devoid of utopias gesture toward a resolution of utopian contradictions dialogically (Bellamy, 2000).

According to several criticisms on the utopian conceptions the concept of dystopia is realized. The dystopian views are contradictory to the utopian views about the social structure and society itself. The dystopian views consider utopia as a myth that does not exist. The dystopian conceptions are based on the so-called reality according to which society cannot be perfect because there are several factors affecting it. The individuals living in the society are the basic pillars of the society and there are several incidents that disrupt the harmony among them. Due to the disruption perfection from the society is diminished because the social constituents cannot live with peace and harmony.

Discussion and Analysis

Individualism and Liberalism

American individualism is associated with liberalism; together these conceptions erode and eventually destroy the existing liberal society. The dominance in a liberal society of individualism and socialism leads to the incapability of maintaining social values ??(patriotism, etc.). In addition, it can also be realized that without these ingredients the existence of democracy in the society is inconceivable (Bauman, ...