SaintSimonian

The Saint-Simonians were followers of the socialist utopian thinker Henri de Saint-Simon. Emerging in the 1820s in France, the movement attracted a diverse group of intellectuals, engineers, and entrepreneurs who believed in reforming society through industrial organization and the guidance of a scientific elite. Their core ideas centered on the abolition of inherited wealth and the principle of "from each according to his ability, to each according to his work." They envisioned a society led by "industrial chiefs" and scientists who would manage resources for the benefit of all.

The movement gained significant traction, establishing a commune and publishing influential journals that disseminated their ideas. Key figures included Prosper Enfantin and Barthélemy Prosper Rodrigues. The Saint-Simonians advocated for the emancipation of women and proposed radical changes to family structures and marriage. However, internal divisions and the eccentric leadership of Enfantin led to the movement's decline by the mid-1830s. Despite its short lifespan, Saint-Simonianism had a lasting impact on socialist thought, influencing later movements and the development of sociology and economics. Their emphasis on industrial progress and social planning resonated with many and contributed to the intellectual landscape of the 19th century.