Utopian socialists

Early socialists (Charles Fourier, Henri de Saint-Simon, Robert Owen) imagined ideal communities where work, wealth, and decision-making would be shared cooperatively.

Robert Owen (1771-1858): Welsh industrialist who built a model factory town at New Lanark in Scotland. He provided decent housing, education for children, shorter working hours, and humane treatment. He proved that profitable industry was compatible with humane conditions. Owen later founded a utopian community at New Harmony, Indiana (which failed economically but inspired further experiments).