The Soul of Man Under Socialism

"Yes. More generally, utopianism was a strong element in late nineteenth-century socialist politics. Think of someone like William Morris, who was a utopian visionary. Even George Bernard Shaw , the archetypal Fabian socialist, was a utopian in certain respects. His plays are full of visions of the future. These visions are not necessarily ideal ones, but they explore the idea that ‘if we go from here, this is where we will end up.’ Wilde keyed into this current in radical politics, and then took it rather perversely in his own direction. He sets out a vision in which there is no longer any obligation upon the individual to work to support themselves, to submit themselves to any kind of authority whatsoever. Partly, he upturns many of the pious expectations concerning socialism. Wilde’s socialism is not about the lucky few giving up their luxury for the sake of the suffering many. It is not based in any kind of idea of philanthropy, charity or equality of division for all. Instead, it is based on the pleasure principle. It is based on the idea that there is enough to go round. The state will work it out. Machines will do all the work. No more unpleasant labour! Glossing over how all of this was actually to be achieved, Wilde goes on to argue that sympathy with suffering is not ennobling, but painful and debasing. What you should have instead, he says, is sympathy with pleasure. You should want everyone else to be as joyful, happy and free as you are. He argues that all authority is degrading. Legal, judicial and prison systems degrade the people imposing the power just as much as the prisoners and convicts. He also argues against marriage and the family, which he sees as constrictions on the individual. “In The Importance of Being Earnest , the lies turn out to be truths” It is possible to read The Importance of Being Earnest alongside such a political message, because in that play everybody somehow defies the confines of authority. All the young people do exactly as they wish, and justify it as they go along. It all ends up completely happily, with everybody getting what they want. They are all so wonderfully selfish."