'A Modern Utopia' (1905) by H G Wells

'A Modern Utopia' is a speculative exploration of an ideal society, presented as a blend of fiction, philosophy, and social critique. The novel follows two characters, "The Narrator" and "The Botanist," as they walk through a parallel Earth governed by a global government known as the World State. This utopian society is designed with Wells’s vision of a progressive, efficient, and humane social order, achieved through rational planning, social welfare, and the abolition of nationalism.

The World State is guided by a class of selfless, highly trained officials called the "Samurai," who uphold the society's values and serve as moral and intellectual leaders. Their role is central to maintaining the Utopia’s values of equality, education, and self-discipline. In this world, property and wealth are distributed fairly, labor is assigned according to ability and interest, and personal freedoms are balanced with social responsibility.

Wells uses the journey through this Utopian Earth to discuss ideas such as population control, gender equality, and the role of science in advancing human happiness. While the novel acknowledges the inherent difficulties and compromises in creating a perfect society, it promotes an optimistic view that human societies can be restructured toward greater justice and efficiency.

Though written as an ideal, A Modern Utopia serves as a commentary on the author's own time, critiquing capitalism, militarism, and the unchecked power of nation-states. Wells imagines a future where technology and governance are used to better humanity, though he leaves open the question of whether such a Utopia could ever truly be realized.