Prefiguring Utopia: The Auroville Experiment

Auroville in Tamil Nadu, South India, is a prefigurative society that is the largest, most diverse, dynamic, and enduring of its kind. This book explores how its founding spiritual and societal ideals are engaged in its communal political and economic organization, as well as various cultural practices, and what enables and sustains this practice. It is a valuable resource for understanding prefigurative and utopian experiments and their potential for advancing human society.

Format: Hardback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 21 September 2023
Publisher: Bristol University Press

Auroville, nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Tamil Nadu, South India, stands as a remarkable international endeavor, dedicated to envisioning an alternative society. It proudly claims the title of the largest, most diverse, dynamic, and enduring intentional community worldwide. In this captivating book, a native scholar delves into the critical and insightful analysis of this unique spiritual township. The author embarks on a profound exploration, unraveling how Auroville's founding spiritual and societal ideals seamlessly integrate into its communal political and economic organization, as well as the diverse cultural practices that shape its vibrant tapestry. Through an in-depth, autoethnographic case study, the author sheds light on the challenges, potentialities, and profound significance of prefigurative and utopian experiments in advancing human society. This invaluable resource serves as a valuable guide for scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts alike, offering a deep understanding of the transformative power of envisioning a better world.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529230789