Robert Owen’s Experiment at New Lanark: From Paternalism to Socialism

Owen's experiment at New Lanark, often celebrated as a model of enlightened paternalism and early socialism, is revealed to be more complex and contentious. While Owen's reforms improved working conditions and fostered community cohesion, they were met with significant resistance from workers, who rejected his authoritarian leadership style and intrusion into their private lives. Siméon challenges the dominant narrative by highlighting the limitations of Owen's reforms, the paucity of firsthand accounts, and the seeds of failure inherent in his paternalistic approach. This micro-historical study, using newly available archival material, provides a nuanced corrective to rose-tinted accounts of New Lanark.

Williams, C. (2020). Robert Owen’s Experiment at New Lanark: From Paternalism to Socialism. Utopian Studies, 31(1), 209–215. https://doi.org/10.5325/utopianstudies.31.1.0209