Edward Bellamy’s Looking Backward provided Americans an insightful approach
to the problems of the Industrial era. It gave a vision on what American society would
be if it was to change its government and economic state. This was a time where
Americans had formed a social hierarchy where the people were broken into a
conclusive social gaps leading to unfair labor and eventually leading to industrial
turmoil. Bellemy realized the constant struggle between social classes and through
Looking backward, he gave the American people an optimistic outlook on what the future may
hold with a socialist system.
The Utopian world portrays a perfect future where everyone is fed, entertained,
and educated equally. In comparison to the late nineteenth century, where people were
treated like work horses and were blamed for it, this world entailed almost complete
equality. This Utopia is controlled mainly by the centralized government that makes all
the major decisions . There is no state government, very few laws, little legislation, and
no prisons. Prisons were not needed since everyone was created equal and
competition did not exist, there were rarely any criminal acts. Somehow the new
system erased most urges of greed and selfishness. Since no money is wasted
on competition, wasteful forms of government, or the wealthy people, the country itself
is wealthy. Production of goods have been nationalized where no private ownership
exists. There are no middlemen or salesmen only direct sales through warehouses.
Every person works under for the system called the Industrial Army where
everyone must enter and leave the Industrial army. Through this system (separated by
gender), everyone must work for the government and is paid equally no matter how their
occupation effects the economy. One choses a job through natural talents and less
attractive jobs are given more incentives. This...