Charles Fourier

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For other famous Fouriers, see Fourier.

Template:Cleanup-tone Image:Hw-fourier.jpg François Marie Charles Fourier (April 7, 1772 - October 10, 1837) was a French utopian socialist. Fourier coined the word féminisme in 1837; as early as 1808, he had argued that the extension of women's rights was the general principle of all social progress. Fourier inspired the founding of the communist community called La Reunion near present-day Dallas, Texas as well as several other communities within the United States of America, such as North American Phalanx.

1 Biographical information
2 Contemporary influence
3 Further reading
4 See also
5 External links

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Biographical information

François Marie Charles Fourier was born in 1772. He moved from his native Besançon to Lyon, the second largest city in France. A travelling salesman and correspondence clerk, his research and thought was time-limited: he complained of "serving the knavery of merchants" and the stupification of "deceiptful and degrading duties". A modest legacy set him up as a writer. He had three main sources for his thought: people he had met as a travelling salesman, newspapers, and introspection. His first book was published in 1808.

Image:Phalanstère01.jpg Fourier declared that concern and cooperation were the secrets of social success. He believed that a society that cooperated would see an immense improvement in their productivity levels. Workers would be recompensed for their labors according to their contribution. Fourier saw such cooperation occurring in communities he called "phalanxes." Phalanxes were based around structures called "grand hotels," (or Phalanstère). These buildings were four level apartment complexes where the richest had the uppermost apartments and the poorest enjoyed a ground floor residence. Wealth was determined by one's job; jobs were assigned based on the interests and desires of the individual. There were incentives, jobs people might not enjoy doing would receive higher pay.

He believed that there were 12 common passions which resulted in 810 types of character, so the ideal 'Phalanx' would have about 2000 people. One day there would be 6M of these, loosely ruled by a world 'omniarch', or (later) a World Congress of Phalanxes. He had a touching concern for the sexually rejected - jilted suitors would be led away by a corps of 'fairies' who would soon cure them of their lovesickness, and visitors could consult the card-index of personality types for suitable partners for casual sex. Some Phalanx-style communities started developing in 1840.

He died in 1837.

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Contemporary influence

Image:Phalanxary colt nj.jpg Fourier's work has significantly influenced the writings of Gustav Wyneken, Guy Davenport, Hakim Bey, and Paul Goodman and probably influenced the Italian boss Adriano Olivetti in the management of his electronic company.

In Whit Stillman's film Metropolitan, social idealist Tom is described as a Fourierist, and debates the success of social experiment Brook Farm with another of the characters.

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