Looking Backwards and Practical Utopia Analysis Essay Example

American political activist Ralph Nader defines his work "Only super-rich can save us," as a practical utopia that one which has a style similar to that of Edward Bellamy`s utopian novel called "Looking Backwards." A close and incisive reading of Nader's book shows that he intended to focus the limelight on corrupt politicians and financial institutions. From the standpoint of an outsider looking into the murk of corruption which dominates the economic systems, Nader seemed to have had an elitist's obsession and determination to stimulate imaginative solutions to such entrenched and systemic financial problems (Nader. n.p). Though the author does not expressly admit the fact that the book has a gist of a typical novel intended to expose the then society for what it is, its content and illustrations confirm it as being a realist novel. It illuminates society and reveals the inherent rot therein. From the standpoint of the author, he characterizes the book as being of a new genre called 'practical utopia' and a fictional vision that could advance to the new reality. It is important to demystify the fact that even though the book bears a quintessential portrayal of practical utopia and fictional vision, it is a novel which captures some of the fundamental trends in human societies. The seven hundred and thirty-six pages book incorporates some characters most of whom are real people. Some of the favorite characters in the book include Warren Buffet, Barry Diller, and Ted Tuner- who are actual public figures, among others. The characters are used by Nader to act his political fancies. At the end of the book, several reforms that the author has been contending about end up being endorsed.

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While the book begins in a fictional way, its unfolding confirms that the author only disguised it probably to avert possible backlashes. It is a real story. For instance, there is a fictional element in which the character, Warren Buffet in a cozy den in Omaha, Ne., watching horrors of Hurricane Katrina unfold on his TV. Bubbling with disgrace as he sees bodies left bobbing and rotting in swollen waters, Buffett sends a convoy of relief supplies to the Ninth Ward. Fuming with the incompetence of people in power, he decides to fix his fragmented country. Buffett then thinks of seeking back-up from 16 other billionaires and mega-millionaires including Bill Gates Sr., Ted Turner, Barry Diller, Bill Cosby, George Soros, and Yoko Ono. He plans to summon the counterparts to a high mountain resort on Maui. The series of events here shows that the author cunningly attacks the inefficiencies of the system in a disguised way to avoid being targeted by the powers that be. Here, he explains the struggles of those who do not have any political standing to do what is right while the oligarchs and plutocrats in power remain irresponsive. Through the eyes of the selfless Buffet, we see a well-intended main mission to save their broken country from the hands of the corrupt plutocracy and revive the freedom for all by the end of the year. As a result, Wal-Mart is unionized by Sol Price, the founder of Price Club. On the other side, The Clean Party conquers 17 percent of the Congress. A mutual agenda of legislation that ensures proper health care and living wages is endorsed. The is also the establishment of a tranche of citizens group with self- funding devices, plus People`s Chamber of Commerce. However, funny enough, the US tradition values power and wealth, and thus the few billionaires in the world have the full control of wealth than a large number of the poorest in the world.

In a broad view, even though the title of the book tend to suggest the antithesis of the citizen power movements where most people group Nader, the expression could be accessioned to bring a different tune together. For, instance, no legacy-minded billionaire can replay the pathetic spectra of social-regressive philanthropy as denoted by John Steinbeck, whereby the millionaires and billionaires use the first three-quarters to extract wealth out of the society and only use the last quarter tending to give it back to the community. Now, in his setting, Nader`s mind is awash by many questions that indeed make the novel more fictional than ever. The main issues in his context are what if a group of super-rich individuals tends to form a driving force in America to strategize and institutionalize the interests of the broken country? What if the superrich resolves it was time to mend their government and surrender the power to the people? What if the national political parties were established with the sole responsibility of paving ways for free and fair elections? There are so many questions that could be asked regarding the main themes of the author Nader. But now, what could happen?

In the mind of the author, Ralph Nader, referring to history, America had benefited from "practical utopia"- according to him the 'utopian fiction' had afforded the progressive country movement. However, Nader regrets that in the last 50 years, a little has been done concerning the utopian fictions. Now, looking in the events plotted in the novel, they may apparently greatly surpass the realm of imagination, even though they are absolutely the brainchild of the political activist Ralph Nader. As we see in the book, Buffett and other 16 superrich assemblies and they plan to mobilize the citizenry in every congressional district and to persuade the corporate goliaths and their political friends in Washington. This is not charity or philanthropy. Generally, the Nader`s work is shoddily fascinating in the manner only ill-conceived failure can emerge. Given the team of superrich individuals, one would be left to wonder whether these people would have common driving spectra. How would the superrich work together to bring transformation in a country? In many countries, the superrich doesn't take the front line to advocate for national reforms. However, they exploit opportunities to take wealth away from society. So Nader`s work is an interesting one. One would be more enthusiastic to see how this course would be implemented.

Over decades ago, Nader has been involved in public advocacy, and he has been instrumental in the establishment of civic organization and enacting of several pieces of legislation occasioned to safeguard the citizens. Now, taking into consideration, his previous work, his "practical utopian fiction" paints a picture on how to transform America from both top-down and bottom-up. He thus dedicated his work to avail a serious concern about the capability of the next generation to apply their efforts and imaginations to overcome the problems facing their country. Nader expression in the book is to put more potential of what should be done to put forward a country. The context of America`s millionaire's motivation of masses to advocate for social justice is an extraordinary one. Wealthiest people were trying to save the world! But the activist imagines how much more the superrich can do to salvage the society. Nader`s work thus indirectly mobilize the wealthiest to embrace the transformation to save the world. And this is why his characters are real people. In a passage from the book, Nader makes Buffett begin the meeting but shedding light on the issues of serious concern; "My friends, what brings us here is a common foreboding- a closing circle of global doom. The world is not doing well. It is spinning out of control. Its inhabitants have allowed greed, power, ignorance, wealth, science, technology and religion to depreciate reality and deny potential. With our capitalist backgrounds, it's easy for us not to be deceived by the plutocracy's self-serving manipulation of economic indicators," (Nader. n.p)This setting in the book shows the potential determination that needs to be cultivated in the superrich people to embrace the transformation of the world. Again, in his work, Nader points out the essential pillars which are fundamental spectra of changing the world. These pillars include economic inequalities which include health care, food security, renewable energy, and adequate housing. The characters are also used to push for electoral reforms, and the fourth pillar is to try to transform with prosperity in mind.

The characters in the book are also used to depict the perspective of transformation by reinventing the media so that the citizens can have a voice in them. The team is also dedicated to establishing more moral and ethical standards as far as business operations also concerned and explicitly in favor of ordinary citizens. According to Nader, he even chooses superrich to be the heroes in his context to paint the real picture that re-direction requires money. "You can't have people movements, and have organizers and mass media and all the expensive things that have to be paid for without a significant amount of money," says Nader. Again, he believes that hundreds of wealthy people in the world are willing to use their money to transform the world. However, they lack inspiration and guidance. In his view, the superrich thus doesn't know the direction that they can take to change the world. Many of them are just left giving charity which is good but cannot be compared to approaches such as financing changes for social justice. He, therefore, hope that his book will emerge a national debate that would initiate changes.

Editorial View of Nader`s 'Practical Utopia'

While the author`s conclusion is rational and valid, unfortunately, the book is not. Trying to define the line between satire and fairy tale, the work of fiction in the book fail to come to light. Even though Nader, has insisted that his book is not a novel but a "practical utopia," that doesn't shun that fact that the book is marketed and constructed as a novel. Therefore, it does not satisfy the requirements of its genre. Another serious concern with Nader`s work is that even as he aims to literary, his efforts at humor are somehow tangy. His act of disliking his characters places him in the most unfortunate position ever, and this even makes his supposedly utopic more depressing the educating.

Therefore, it is undeniable that the tale has good substance content and could be quite relevant for our time; however, I find numerous gaps existing in the whole editorial work. The fact that the book is labeled "practical utopia" could in my view, be because the books are utterly bereft of any literature value. In my view, the work plunged into an insufferable sphere when I discovered that Nader was indeed representing a serious idea. Any very keen reader will realize that the book is describing the group retired superrich people in excruciating detail. However, there is no attempt at an appealing storyline, character development or considerate posture. Again, apart from poorly written, the whole concept of the book is uncertain. Am bringing about this concern because I fail to understand or find where Nader convinces readers of why the group of the superrich would yawn to advocate for national transformation, that would make them as well off as they present. He also minimal light about the appliance of competition under entrepreneurship. He tries to imply that it seems plausible that US companies would decide to afford workers proficient wage rather than squeezing out every potential drop of profit. It is also unbelievable that the group of superrich could be able to encourage clueless disorganized commonalities into action as the author suggests in his work. So, another aspect that emerges from the work is how the society that is likely to be born from Nader`s book is soiled with contradictions. It is not reasonable to generate an equal society by employing unmerited models and theories. I want for instance to illuminate the concept of sexism. You in the Nader`s "practical utopia,"...