>[!abstract] >A critical dystopia, a concept from [[Moylan, 2021|Tom Moylan]], is a dystopian narrative that, while portraying oppressive and broken societies, preserves a horizon of hope, resistance, or transformation. Unlike classical dystopias, which depict closed systems of domination with little chance of escape, critical dystopias emphasize struggle and the possibility of alternative futures emerging from within the dystopian setting. This form challenges readers not only to recognize present dangers but also to imagine paths beyond them, blending critique with utopian impulse. It situates dystopia as a catalyst for change rather than a terminal condition. >[!related] >- **North** (upstream): [[Utopian studies]] >- **West** (similar): [[Classical dystopia]] >- **East** (different): [[Critical utopia]] >- **South** (downstream): —