Graham R (Ed.) - Anarchism - A Documentary History of Libertarian Ideas Volume One - From Anarchy to Anarchism (300 CE to 1939)

Industriafization AndTlie Emergence
oj Sociafism
7. Charles Fourier: Attractive Labour (1822- 1837)
Charles Fourier (1772- 1837) is considered one of the first socialist theorists. He began publishing
his ideas regarding the reorganization of society during the Napoleonic era, but was
only many years later able to attract any adherents to his ideas. He never was able to attract a
financial benefactor to fu nd their implementation, but some of his adherents did attempt to
create FOllrierist colonies or "phalanxes, " the model of which Fourier called "Harmony. " Although
not an anarchist per se, Fourier did insist that "no coercive measures" would be tolerated
in his ideal society, where work would be "indicated but not ordered" (as quoted in The
lJtopian Vision of Charles Fourier. ed. j. Beedler and R. Bietlvctlu. Boston: Beacon Press.
1972. page 252). His ideas were influential in the burgeoning anarchist movement. particularly
his notion that work should be made attractive. and society should be organized to provide
fo r tile free expression of people's natural passions. rather than people being reformed or
remolded to fit someone's preconceived ideas (a flaw that permeates Fourier's own writings).
The fol/owing extracts are taken from Selections from the Works of Fourier (London:
Swan Sonnenschein & Co .•
190 1). translated by Julia Franklin.
IN THE CIVILIZED MECHANISM we find everywhere composite unhappiness instead
of composite charm. Let us judge of it by the case of labour. It is, says the Scripture
very justly, a punishment of man: Adam and his issue are condemned to earn their
bread by the sweat of their brow. That, already, is an affliction; but this labour, this
ungrateful labour upon which depends the earning of our miserable bread, we cannot
even get it! A labourer lacks the labour upon which his maintenance depends-he
asks in vain for a tribulation! He suffers a second, that of obtaining work
at times whose fruit is his master's and not his, or of being employed in duties to
which he is entirely unaccustomed ...