Abstract
It often happens that the diligent pursuit of a utopian vision can propel individuals to such great motion that to observers it may appear that the obvious has been bypassed. This is the case with the Hutterite Brethren, whose atypical lifestyle appears to have satisfied generations with very little adjustment in either belief or policy. Few of their members ever question their way of life and they are quite happy to maintain it. In fact, and not surprisingly, a closer examination of their unique way of life shows the makings of a model by which to develop the primary elements of utopian living. After all, the successful operation of a 471-year experiment ought to count for something.
Ultimately, all utopias are doomed. The goal is unattainable, but also strangely relevant; only the journey towards the “good place” has true value.
—Andrew Scott (1997:17).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Copyright information
© 2004 John W. Friesen and Virginia Lyons Friesen
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Friesen, J.W., Friesen, V.L. (2004). Hutterite Communalism. In: The Palgrave Companion to North American Utopias. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4039-8223-0_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4039-8223-0_10
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, New York
Print ISBN: 978-1-137-30640-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4039-8223-0
eBook Packages: Palgrave Religion & Philosophy CollectionPhilosophy and Religion (R0)