Universal Community of Rational Religionists, The Constitution and Laws of the Rational Society: As Agreed to at the Annual Congress, Held at Harmony Hall, Hants., May 10, 1843 (London: Printed and Published for the Society by W. Johnston, 1843)

In 1839, the Universal Community Society of Rational Religionists was established during the annual Socialist Congress as a merger between the Association of All Classes of All Nations (AACAN) and the National Community Friendly Society. At first, the Rational Society retained much of the AACAN’s institutional structure, which coupled a London-based, top-down executive, as well as a relative degree of autonomy and democratic practice in the branches, which were usually managed by “elected committees of working-class shareholders”. But things changed when Robert Owen attempted to take control of the fledgling Queenwood community amidst a storm of infighting and financial difficulties. At the 1843 annual Congress, which was held at Harmony Hall to drive the point home, a new constitution was adopted for the Rational Society. In addition to confirming Owen as the community’s governor, the document approved a new, paternalistic governance system which sought to extend the Central Board’s powers to the detriment of the local branches.