Freiland: Ein sociales Zukunftsbild

A bold proposal erupts across Europe and America in the summer of 1890: a coalition of thinkers and entrepreneurs announces an “International Free Society” intent on founding a new community where land is unowned, production is organized by voluntary associations, and every worker enjoys the full fruits of his labor. The manifesto promises interest‑free capital for producers, support for the infirm and women, and a modest levy on all output to fund public needs. It sets the stage for a gathering in The Hague, drawing journalists, skeptics, and hopeful participants eager to judge whether such an experiment is visionary or naïve.

Against this backdrop, the narrative follows the feverish preparations for the inaugural assembly, the clash of political press, and the practical dilemmas of turning abstract liberty into daily life. Readers hear the persuasive voice of Dr. Karl Strahl, a respected economist, and feel the tension between lofty idealism and the gritty logistics of colonising a “landless” frontier. The opening invites listeners to contemplate how far a society might go when it tries to balance individual freedom with collective welfare.