alternative society: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Academic, Socio-political Discourse
Quick answer
What does “alternative society” mean?
A group or community that consciously rejects the dominant norms, values, and lifestyles of mainstream society, proposing different models for social, economic, and political organisation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A group or community that consciously rejects the dominant norms, values, and lifestyles of mainstream society, proposing different models for social, economic, and political organisation.
A concept or vision of social organisation distinct from the conventional capitalist, consumerist, or traditional structures; often associated with countercultural movements, intentional communities, cooperative economics, and sustainable living.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The term gained prominence in both regions during the 1960s/70s counterculture.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can have positive connotations (progressive, idealistic) or negative ones (impractical, naive).
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English in historical analysis of post-war countercultures.
Grammar
How to Use “alternative society” in a Sentence
[Verb] an alternative societyan alternative society [based on/centred around/of] {principle}the idea/concept/vision of an alternative societyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alternative society” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They sought to **alternative-society-build** in the Welsh countryside.
- The group is **alternative-society-planning**.
American English
- They aimed to **create an alternative society** in Oregon.
- The manifesto **envisions an alternative society**.
adjective
British English
- His **alternative-society** ideals were outlined in the pamphlet.
- They attended an **alternative-society** gathering.
American English
- The **alternative-society** model proposed a gift economy.
- She wrote about **alternative-society** experiments.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly used in critiques of conventional business models or in discussions of corporate social responsibility paradigms.
Academic
Common in sociology, political science, and cultural studies to analyse countercultural movements, utopianism, and social experiments.
Everyday
Low frequency. Used by individuals interested in politics, activism, or history.
Technical
Used in social theory to describe envisioned or experimental social structures opposed to hegemonic norms.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alternative society”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alternative society”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alternative society”
- Using it to mean simply a 'different option' within mainstream society (e.g., 'an alternative society for booking holidays'). Confusing it with 'alternative lifestyle', which is individual, not societal.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A commune is one specific, often small-scale, manifestation of an alternative society. 'Alternative society' is the broader concept or vision that a commune might try to implement.
Yes. Critics may use it pejoratively to imply naivety, impracticality, or a rejection of necessary social structures.
No. It is a specialised socio-political term more common in academic, historical, or activist discourse than in daily talk.
A subculture shares distinct norms within a larger society (e.g., punk). An alternative society implies a comprehensive, separate model intended to replace or exist apart from mainstream society.
A group or community that consciously rejects the dominant norms, values, and lifestyles of mainstream society, proposing different models for social, economic, and political organisation.
Alternative society is usually formal/academic, socio-political discourse in register.
Alternative society: in British English it is pronounced /ɒlˈtɜːnətɪv səˈsaɪəti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv səˈsaɪəti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A society within a society”
- “Dropping out to build anew”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'ALTER the NATIVE society' → wanting to change the society you were born (native) into.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A CONSTRUCT (that can be redesigned).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'alternative society' LEAST likely to be used?