1. Utopian Societies
Are they so perfect?

2. Background
The Giver shows a society that is very different from ours. Jonas’s world is perfect.  There is no war, fear, or pain.  Everything is controlled, the everyday decisions that we make are not available.  They do not get to decide what they wear, eat or even where they work.  Every person is assigned a role in the Community based upon their talents.  Would living in such a society make things easier?  We wouldn’t have crime or poverty. Is it worth giving up our choices for a perfect world?

3. Task
First you will create 10 rules (a constitution of sorts) that would create a perfect society, i.e. – If EVERYONE followed these rules, the world would be PERFECT)
Then, you are to learn more about Utopian societies, and decide if we should strive for a utopian society of peace and harmony even if it means giving up variety, choice, love, etc..  Why or why not? 
You will write a persuasive letter to a government official to persuade him/her to either push a movement toward or away from a utopian society.

4. Definition – Utopian Society
Utopia (pronounced /juːˈtoʊpiə/) is an ideal community or society possessing a perfect socio-politico-legal system.[1] The word was imported from Greek, by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 book Utopia, describing a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean. The term has been used to describe both intentional communities that attempted to create an ideal society, and fictional societies portrayed in literature. It has spawned other concepts, most prominently dystopia.
The word comes from the Greek: οὐ, "not", and τόπος, "place". The English homophone Eutopia, derived from the Greek εὖ, "good" or "well", and τόπος, "place", signifies a double meaning.

5. Utopian Philosophy
Read Article with “Utopia & Utopian Philosophy” at the top of the paper.

6. Answer these questions…
What freedoms or choices would you miss most of all?
Think about the possibility for a utopian society.  Are you willing to give these freedoms/choices away?

7. Persuasive Letter
You are now well informed about Utopian societies and have considered the costs and benefits.
Using the knowledge you have gained, write a persuasive letter to a government official. Persuade him/her to either push a movement toward or away from a utopian society.