The use of eugenics to maintain peace and order in the fictional society of Shinsekai Yori

Abstract

In the society of Shinsekai Yori, the audience is presented with a seemingly crime free utopia. This study analyses the clockworks of this society by taking a narrative stance in order to understand why, how and when everything happened. Analogies and theories, such as the Holocaust and labelling theory, from the real world are then attached and compared to the fictional world of Shinsekai Yori, to better grasp the ideology and methods used by the ones who crafted the society with the goal of a harmonious utopia. Eugenics played a pivotal point in the creation of this society. Through eugenic ideals and genetic modifications; people could no longer attack one another; vented fear, stress and frustration by engaging in sexual behaviour (even amongst same sex and between underage children) which helped in mitigating violence; and filtered out deviant children who were labelled as dangerous and unfit to live in this community. The focal point of this research is the in depth examination of these eugenic measures which discusses their use, the way they collectively reduced crime, and also their dangers and limitations.