The Nomadic Alternative – Page 217

Hutterites and Amish, the proposed 'phalansteries' of Fourier and

their latest expression, the Communes which have mushroomed in the aftermath of the Hippie Movement. A movement, when mobile, automatically distinguishes itself from the morality of settlement, but once the same movement settles itself, it casts about for new directions. Without some cult or central belief the commune cannot be cohesive. Those most likely to succeed will grow their own food and make all their basic needs, thus solving the problem of the alienation of labour, and by gearing themselves to the seasonal cycle, synchronize to events in the life cycle.

Fourier, visionary of the city of clockmakers, plotted the activity of his 'phalansterỳ with mathematical precision ("at a quarter to six, swing carts out from the phalansterỳ will bring the afternoon snack to all these groups: it will be served in the castle of the cherry gardeners, from quarter to until a quarter past six, then the groups will disperse after forming bonds of friendship and arranging industrial and other reunions to follow"). But the human muscular system was not intended for back-breaking work, and the human timing system was not intended for predictable work. Regular work patterns may temporarily suppress, but can never subdue the waywardness of men. The Shakers controlled their restlessness by violent agitations of the body, pacifying the demon of accidie with their legs, arms and voices. Other communities simply collapse.

Utopian thinkers often confuse the Myth of the Garden with an agricultural paradise. Proudhon imagined it was possible to regain the innocence of the First State within a 'hortus conclusus' (or fragment of Eden).

After the Revolution humanity will do as in Genesis. It will concern itself with the tilling and caring of the soil, which will provide it with a life of rural delights - as recommended by the philosopher Martin in Candide, man will cultivate his garden. Agriculture, once the lot of slaves, will be one of the fine Arts, and human life will be passed in innocence.

But Proudhon had forgotten, if he ever knew, that Eden was a wild garden, and the formal or cultivated garden was the garden of Cain.