# The Idolum of National Utopia and Megalopolis explained — The Story of Utopias

> Chapter companion for The Story of Utopias by Lewis Mumford.

## What happens

This chapter explores the concept of a 'pure form' national utopia, or Megalopolis, as an idolum—an idealized construct that existing states approximate only when it does not conflict too greatly with real human life. It contrasts the artificial loyalty demanded by the state with the vital realities of face-to-face community, genuine sensory experiences, and deeper allegiances that persistently undermine the political and journalistic idola.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nationalism and the State

The chapter examines the idolum of the nation-state as a utopian ideal that demands total loyalty, suppressing real human connections and local affiliations.

### The Role of Ideas and Myths

The concept of the 'idolum' is central, showing how idealized constructs (like the national utopia) shape and distort reality.

### Duality of Human Existence

The tension between the artificial state utopia and the real, vital experiences of people (face-to-face meetings, real food, love) highlights the duality of human existence.

## Character check-ins

### Plato

Referenced as the originator of the concept of 'pure form' which the author applies to the national utopia and Megalopolis.

## Key lines

> It should be plain that in describing the National Utopia and Megalopolis I have been trying to outline what Plato would call the pure form.

The author clarifies that the National Utopia and Megalopolis are intended as Platonic pure forms.

_Establishes the philosophical framework for the chapter's critique._

> It is equally clear, I trust, that the pure form is an idolum to which any existing national state or metropolis approximates only so far as the idolum does not conflict too grossly with the real men and women, the real communities, the real regions, the real workaday occupations which continue, despite the reign of these idola, to exist, and to occupy our main attention.

The pure form is an idolum that real states and cities only resemble when it doesn't clash too much with actual people, communities, and daily life.

_Highlights the gap between ideal and reality._

> If you and I were perfect citizens of Megalopolis, we should never let anything come between us and our loyalty to the State: when the State called for our taxes, we should never think regretfully of the amusements we must forego in order to pay them; when the State demanded that we go to war, nothing like the claims of a family or an occupation or a moral conviction would ever step between us and our national duty.

Perfect citizens of Megalopolis would prioritize state loyalty above all else, never regretting taxes or questioning war for personal or moral reasons.

_Illustrates the extreme demands of the national utopia._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters