Special issue: Imagining alternatives: utopias - dystopias - heterotopias

Auteurs

• Gillian Pye

Paramètres

• Autres manuels scolaires
• Manuels

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Despite claims that utopian thought is obsolete due to harsh realities like technological warfare and crises, there is a notable resurgence of utopian ideas in popular and political discourse since the early 2000s. Robert J. Tally observes that traditional “blueprint” utopias, which envision ideal societies through spatial or temporal separation, are inadequate in a globalized context. Instead, the critical project of utopia serves as a vital form of opposition to prevailing conditions. Tally asserts that utopia has reemerged as a significant theme in literature, critical theory, and cultural studies, especially under the anti-capitalism slogan “another world is possible.” This contemporary interest is reflected in the rise of micro-utopias within social networks, which may embody the concept of the Foucauldian heterotope—a space where we reflect on our absence by envisioning ourselves elsewhere. However, the line between utopia and dystopia remains thin, as visions for a better world can lead to disaster for others. Dystopian narratives, while often bleak, express the desire for improvement, suggesting that they are part of the same social dreaming that fuels utopian literature. Fátima Vieira notes that dystopias lacking hope fail in their purpose, reinforcing the connection between utopian aspirations and dystopian critiques.

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• Année de publication: 2014