Definition of Utopia:
Utopia: is an ideal community or society possessing a perfect socio-politico-legal system. The word was imported from Greek by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 bookUtopia, describing a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean. The term has been used to describe both intentional communities that attempt to create an ideal society, and fictional societies portrayed in literature.
Characteristics of Utopia:Characteristics of intentional or utopian communities:
1) experimental in structure and purpose
2) isolation: geographical, physical, cultural
3) self-sufficient, based largely on agriculture
4) closeness to nature leads to physical and mental health
5) physical work (farm and crafts) is critical
Some real attempts at Utopia:
http://www.uwec.edu/geography/ivogeler/w188/articles/utopia.htm
http://www.acorncommunity.org/
http://www.thefarm.org/index.html
http://www.twinoaks.org/
Sources:
Intentional Societies in America. http://www.uwec.edu/geography/ivogeler/w188/articles/utopia.htm
Intentional Societies in America. http://www.uwec.edu/geography/ivogeler/w188/articles/utopia.htm