Dystopia: A Natural History is the first monograph devoted to the concept of dystopia. Taking the term to encompass both a literary tradition of satirical works, mostly on totalitarianism, as well as real despotisms and societies in a state of disastrous collapse, this volume redefines the central concepts and the chronology of the genre and offers a paradigm-shifting understanding of the subject.

Part One assesses the theory and prehistory of 'dystopia'. By contrast to utopia, conceived as promoting an ideal of friendship defined as 'enhanced sociability', dystopia is defined by...

This book gives prominence for the first time to Mill's abiding concern with Malthusianism and its impact on his arguments respecting liberty.

The first monograph devoted to the concept of dystopia: redefining the central concepts and chronology of the genre, and offering a theoretical overview and prehistory of the concept; an account of twentieth-century totalitarian regimes as dystopias; and a brief history of the literary dystopia from the early nineteenth century to the present.

An accessible introduction to the key trends in nineteenth-century thought within philosophy, history, political thought, economics, religion and the social sciences, as well as feminism and imperialism. This Companion will appeal to scholars and advanced students of these disciplines.