phalansterianism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowAcademic / Historical
Quick answer
What does “phalansterianism” mean?
A social system based on the principles of Charles Fourier, advocating for the organization of society into self-sufficient cooperative communities called 'phalanxes' or 'phalansteries'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A social system based on the principles of Charles Fourier, advocating for the organization of society into self-sufficient cooperative communities called 'phalanxes' or 'phalansteries'.
The specific utopian socialist doctrine and its associated practices, which include communal living, shared property, and the belief that human passions can be harmoniously organized for the collective good.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Historical, theoretical, utopian, largely obsolete.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, encountered almost solely in specialized texts on the history of socialism or utopian thought.
Grammar
How to Use “phalansterianism” in a Sentence
[Subject] advocates/rejects/describes phalansterianism.Phalansterianism is based on [principle].The experiment in phalansterianism [result].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “phalansterianism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The group sought to phalansterianise their community, though the attempt was short-lived.
American English
- They attempted to phalansterianize their settlement based on Fourier's blueprints.
adverb
British English
- The society was organised phalansterianly, with work and leisure allocated by passion.
American English
- They lived phalansterianly, sharing all property and responsibilities.
adjective
British English
- His phalansterian ideals were considered charmingly antiquated by the modern sociologists.
American English
- The phalansterian community in New Jersey was one of several American experiments.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in history, political science, and philosophy to discuss 19th-century utopian socialist movements.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used as a precise historical label for Fourier's specific branch of utopian socialist theory and practice.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “phalansterianism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “phalansterianism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “phalansterianism”
- Misspelling as 'phalasterianism' or 'phalansterism'.
- Using it as a synonym for any type of communal living or socialism, rather than the specific Fourierist system.
- Pronouncing it with a hard 'ph' as in 'pharmacy' instead of the 'f' sound.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, as a formal, named system based on Fourier's exact principles, it is historically obsolete. However, some intentional communities and cooperatives may share similar ideals without using the term.
Phalansterianism is a specific, pre-Marxist form of utopian socialism focused on voluntary, small-scale communal experiments. Communism, as developed by Marx and Engels, is a broader, more systematic theory of historical class struggle aiming for a large-scale, stateless society.
It refers to a very specific and historically limited ideology that did not become a major political force. Its use is confined to academic historical analysis.
Yes, 'phalansterian' is the standard adjective form (e.g., 'phalansterian community', 'phalansterian ideals').
A social system based on the principles of Charles Fourier, advocating for the organization of society into self-sufficient cooperative communities called 'phalanxes' or 'phalansteries'.
Phalansterianism is usually academic / historical in register.
Phalansterianism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfælənˈstɪəriənɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfælənˈstɪriənˌɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific to this term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'phalanx' of soldiers (a tight formation) combined with a 'monastery' (a communal living space). Phalansterianism is the 'ism' of forming society into tight, self-sufficient communal groups.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A PERFECTLY ENGINEERED COMMUNAL MACHINE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the term 'phalansterianism'?