Bygone Utopias and Farm Protest in the Rural Midwest: Returning Home

The book explores the desire for "bygone utopias" and the impact of rapid, culturally destructive social change on individuals' perceived agency. The case of the 1930s foreclosure protests in the rural American Midwest exemplifies this, embodying a utopian understanding of agrarian society that had largely disappeared by the late 19th century. Comparisons to later movements highlight the importance of culturally catastrophic social change in fomenting these types of bygone utopian actions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 11 April 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the yearning for "bygone utopias," a longing for times before the rapid and culturally destructive forces of social change stripped individuals of their perceived agency. A poignant illustration of these themes is the wave of foreclosure protests that swept through the rural American Midwest during the 1930s. These actions embodied a utopian vision of agrarian society that had largely faded by the late 19th century. Hundreds to thousands of people took matters into their own hands by organizing public auctions of foreclosed farms, reclaiming property from owners, and granting them a second chance to save their livelihoods.

Comparisons to later movements, such as the National Farmers Organization and the protests surrounding the 1980s Farm Crisis, underscore the significance of culturally catastrophic social change occurring at a breakneck pace in fostering these types of bygone utopian actions. These activists and movements challenge scholars to re-examine what it means to be conservative and how we perceive conservatism. They help us gain a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to the contemporary resurgence of nationalist and reactionary movements across the globe.

The book explores the complexities of human longing, the power of collective action, and the enduring legacy of utopian ideals in shaping our world. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always the potential for individuals and communities to rise up and create a better future for themselves and future generations.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030710156
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021