Retro-futurism, combining “retro” and “futurism” or “future”, can refer to two distinct concepts: A style of design and art or an ideology. (Thanks, Wiki)

IDEOLOGY:

Retrofuturism is often referred to as techno-utopianism. Technological utopianism refers to any ideology based on the belief that advances in science and technology will eventually bring about a utopia, or at least help to fulfill one or another utopian ideal.

Remember, Karl Marx believed that science and democracy were the ingredients required for the move into a realm of freedom – advances in science delegitimized the rule of kings and the power of the Christian Church, as well as other Theocracies.

DESIGN/ART:

Retrofuturistic design is a return to, and an enthusiasm for, the depictions of the future produced in the past (most often the 1920s through 1960s), both in science fiction and in nonfiction futurism of the time, which often seem dated by modern standards.