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Orofaniel -- I don't think that the Shire is terribly 'flawed'. I would live there in a second, given the option; but I do think that after a very short while I would begin to go mad looking for the kind of discussion and inquisitiveness that characterises communities like the BD! I would also chafe against the provicialism of the place and await with great joy the arrival of the occaisional visitor from outside for a piece of news. I'm also not so sure I would enjoy the rather strict class system, no matter how benign it might be.
Still, like I said, the Shire is a better place than just about any I can think of in the Primary World and well worth the struggles of those who give so much to protect it, even if their struggles go unnoticed.
Herm -- there's a balace isn't there, in that? The hobbits might be ignored by the other peoples, but the hobbits return the favour. . .
Child -- very interesting point about the apparent discrepancy between the Prologue and appendices regarding the long prosperity, versus the set-backs. Is it possible that the Prologue is giving an overview ("everything was generally pretty good") and the appendices are more particular? I mean, we still refer to post-war North America as enjoying unprecedented prosperity and stability, despite things like the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the recessions of the early 80s and 90s, etc etc
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