Despite the good intentions of developing a perfect community, did the Icarians experience a disconnect between the ideals Cabet taught and the implementation of ideals within the community?
I argue in my research that human nature is inherently flawed and so that, despite the best intentions, Cabet’s writings and teachings cannot be implemented into a community at face value. For the idealistic members from France who drew inspiration from the French Revolution and the ideals of Liberty, Fraternity, Equality the lack of pure ideals within the community surprised them. As the Nauvoo community progressed, not even Cabet could abandon his vices and he became power hungry in an attempt to force the community to obey him. Despite extensively emphasizing perfectibility, Cabet and the Icarians could not achieve it.