UTOPIA Comparison between the Utopia of Thomas More

UTOPIA Comparison between the Utopia of Thomas More and the Farm community http: //thefarmcommunity. co m

The role of women In Thomas More's Utopia, before marriage some grave matron presents the bride who is about eighteen naked to the bridegroom. The body takes a big part in the eyes of the men. Indeed, even wise men choose a woman not only for her good qualities. After the wedding, men make women responsible for cooking the food. (http: //www. bl. uk) http: //thefarmcommunity. com In the farm community, the role of women is quite different (fortunately). Indeed, there is any distinction between girls and boys : "We believe that marriage, childbirth and death are sacraments of our church" , "We agree that child rearing and care of the elderly is a holy responsibility. " "We agree to be honest and compassionate in our relationships with each other. " which means that men and women take equal part in the couple.

The role of women (2) The women are sticking together , indeed there are midwifery workshops which implies important care for mother and baby. The presence of a Yoga Studio in the community shows how important the well being is. sources : http: //thefarmcommunity. com

Utopia In Thomas More's Utopia, society has few laws in their constitution, because they need not many. Indeed, it's a community based on the power of the people sovereignty; that's why they don't have representants of the government among them. Each person is supposed to know is duty, which means they don't need law to determine what they may to do or not. Of course, they have court in order to judge the citizens who infringe the laws (people who harm the common interest in favour of their personal interest), but they have no lawyers: they thinks people can defend themselves. The penalties are commensurate to infractions, but the law allows the death penalty if all else had failed. Moreover it's a communal society, which implies that every families share the fruits of the farming. However they do their own clothes, and they buy them with a system of trade. www. bl. uka

The Laws in The Farm Community At first (in the 70 s and early 80 s), the Farm was guided by leaderships who founded the community but there was no government established. It was possible, because there was between 300 and 500 membres, but progressively the number of members took in up to 10 000 visitors a year. That's why they need a change, and after a lot of meetings, they created a governmental structure. Since 1983, each member has to contribute financially to the annual budget. Now the government is composed of a board of Directors elected through democratic process. They have also a finance committee which manages the budget. About the organisation of the society, the Farm changes from being totally collective to a cooperative, which means the land is held in common but dues are took off each months to the community. The main value of the society is the peace, that's why they assert in their constitution that : "We agree to resolve any conflicts or disagreements in a nonviolent manner. http: //brbl-archive. library. yale. edu http: //thefarmcommunity. com "We agree to keep no weapons in the community. "

Education In Thomas More's utopia, everybody have access to education in their childhood: while they have an extraordinary capacity for letters. Both, men and women of all ranks are taught to spend their free time in reading and this during all their life. They have all their learning in their own tongue which is accessible to everyone. They although go to hear lectures according to their inclinations. (http: //www. bl. uk) http: //thefarmcommunity. com The Farm Community: The members know that as a community created by humans, the Farm is not perfect, but their ability to evolve and adapt throughout time make them believe they are a real community model. The priority of the farm is to influence the world through education and outreach, indeed, they base their sustainability on transmission to future generations. The principal of “The Farm School” had been working in public educational system during many years and the others experts of the school are currently requested as volunteers. They propose an experience weekend to discover their way of living and their vision of a better