Utopia, Equality and Liberty: The impossible ideal

Résumé En

The purpose of this article is to derive the logical but unexpected consequences in terms of social justice, of the presuppositions on utopian constructions. In the conditions generally in effect in urban utopias which lay claim to a certain amount of social justice combining equality, fairness and liberty in different ways, equality is likely to interfere with liberty, even create inequalities, and liberty can adapt to inequalities, perhaps even create losses of liberty. Thus, the illusory perfection of Utopia is exposed. Analysis of the mechanisms and operating conditions of urban utopias, which have appeared recurringly especially since the Renaissance, makes it possible to show how the authors intend to ensure that urban utopias are possible, and that which is implicitly necessary for this. The criticism of the liberal utopia currently dominating a broad segment of the world, makes it possible to both illustrate and expand the previous observations, particularly with regard to their urban aspect. Is the solution to abandon utopia?