Rob Fisher comments on the politics and economics of Star Trek, taking his lead from Heresy Corner.
Contrary to these two, I don’t think the Star Trek universe is remotely Marxist, or communist.
Far from utopian, as I have heard others describe it, it seems to me an unpleasant dystopia. Military personnel have overtly political roles, and the Federation interferes with private individuals far too much. That Picard, and others, adopt an official ambassadorial role at the drop of a hat, indulging in political negotiations, is questionable in what claims to be a civil society, and the Prime Directive? Could anyone who believes in freedom or a libertarian society regard the Prime Directive with anything bar contempt?
Sorry, but the Federation is a militarised fascist state. Unpleasant and unwanted.
Give me the Ferangi any day, far more honest.
Update: Here I go, makes me seem a trekkie I know, but I’m not. I just have a good memory and I notice things – Despite surface pretence, the Federation is racist. In this episode of DS9 Benjamin Sisko makes an issue of race, supposedly based on a cultural memory of discrimination hundreds of years ago. To me, that means racism is still a current issue; a cultural memory of past discrimination doesn’t last 400 years unless it is being reinforced. It might be a bit of history that an educated man would be aware of, but it wouldn’t rouse the passions Sisko shows.
I am a trekkie, so I will confirm that your interpretation of the “startrek universe” is very totalitarian. Have you noticed that you can just call anyone up on the computer and pull any information up about them you want to? Not only can you pull information up on that particular person but also their whole geneology!
The Klingons have it right… they live by the honour system.
“Have you noticed that you can just call anyone up on the computer and pull any information up about them you want to? Not only can you pull information up on that particular person but also their whole geneology!”
That’s who is steamrollering the DNA database through Parliament then. Bloody Trekkies!
“The Klingons have it right… they live by the honour system.”
Probably there’s never been an episode where Klingon representatives were caught fiddling their expenses, but I’m pretty sure if there were, they wouldn’t just get away with paying it back…
I’ve not watched Star Trek since about 1972, so I don’t know what it’s evolved into.
But in those days, the Federation was the USA writ large. “USS Enterprise”? I ask you!
Apart from the apparent survival of regional dialects - Scottish - and a sop to other nations’ history - at one point the USS Hood is mentioned - it’s all very much an ideal ‘fifties USA.
Not even inter-racial kissing.
So not Communist. And anyway, one of the theories of capitalism - espoused by none other than the founder of Sony, I think, the capitalist ideal is to make essentials so cheap they can be given away to the poor.
Ooh, I missed this. Don’t think we’re in much disagreement. In Star Trek everyone is so rich they don’t need money. How do you get such people to do what you want? By establishing a militarised fascist state!
ED, the show has changed.
The original series was a good time.
All of the spinoffs have gotten thoroughly up their own asses trying to “send messages” or “be relevant.” TNG bounced back and forth between talking about gay marriage and inventing brand new particles each week and newer and better forehead ridges for each (humanoid, natch) alien.
The YAWN was strong with them once they stopped making even the animated original series.