Star Ship Troopers' interesting government: Philosophy Forums

Star Ship Troopers' interesting government

Gozchips
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Posted 10/09/02 - 03:40 PM:	#1
Anyone who seen star ship troopers will know in the director's vision, democracy is insustainable and in the film gives way to a federation. This could work quite well with none of the spins and tactics parties use now so they can stay elected next term, slowing down real progress. But there has to be strict laws and senates so the leader (is there needs one at all) don't turn into a dictator. There's the citizenship law as well, where there are two classes for people, citizena nd civilian. A citizen has previlages but have to serve their country like be in the army for 4 years. Which I think sounds fair, but have this strange feeling it won't work in real life. Thoughts?

Weary Locomotive
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Posted 10/09/02 - 04:25 PM:	#2
Starship Troopers as far as I know is the creation of Robert Heinlein. I have not had the chance to read the book, but I plan to as he is consistently entertaining. The idea of two classes of people is excellent; the thing you failed to notice is that under his vision Citizenship (voting rights) demands an OBLIGATORY service in the ARMY. This is not just "service for the country" as you put it, it is a certain school of life... Heinlein underlines the fact that non-warrior members of society have no business making policy. The idea is heretical and delicious. -WL

xxuxx
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Posted 10/09/02 - 04:54 PM:	#3
Heinlein's tallent does not lie in broader political concepts, but in individual human dynamics. I've read Starship Troopers and Stranger in a Strange Land, and I don't really want to read anymore Heinlein. His notion is like a free currency of force within a capitalist scheme. It's basically throwing away all the love and liberty bullshiit in the US constitution and leaving only basic freedom and guns. It's more efficient I'll give him that. Every country on the face of the planet would have to be fully developed and educated and brought up to speed before Heinlein's dream could work. If not, outside polarising forces on American society and govt would rip America apart. America's bureaucracy may harbour corruption, but red tape has less cracks to fall through. Without it cracks are gaping chasms, and you're on one side or the other. However, bureaucracy is a hungry beast, and when you have to feed the people of the world, it's the last thing you want.

Brad
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Posted 10/09/02 - 05:49 PM:	#4
Heinlein said somewhere that the government outlined in "Starship Troopers" was an extrapolation of the government of Switzerland.

xxuxx
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Posted 10/10/02 - 01:10 AM:	#5
Sounds Swiss, to be armed to the teeth and yet never go to war.

Fire drill
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Posted 10/10/02 - 01:52 PM:	#6
There's the citizenship law as well, where there are two classes for people, citizena nd civilian. A citizen has previlages but have to serve their country like be in the army for 4 years. Which I think sounds fair, but have this strange feeling it won't work in real life. It worked pretty well in ancient Greece and Rome, where the term was sometimes around 20 years. In most ancient/primitive tribes all fellow tribesmen were wariors. The feudalism itself was made of, roughly, two classes: nobility and commoners. The first had all the privileges, their only job being to go to war whenever they were called and the second seved them. demands an OBLIGATORY service in the ARMY. This is not just "service for the country" as you put it, it is a certain school of life... Heinlein underlines the fact that non-warrior members of society have no business making policy. The idea is heretical and delicious In my country we have conscription by law for all male citizens between 18 and 35, one year term.And for me (at least at the begining) the ideea was not delicious at all. One can not work in a state or public institution (and even private ones) without satisfying the military service. By the way, you can call me sarge. Fire drill

War Dog
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Posted 10/24/02 - 07:26 PM:	#7
theres no way i would think having to be in the army for 4 years obligatory is sustainable

Nate
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Posted 10/28/02 - 11:46 AM:	#8
Fire Drill: What country do you life in? No one: It is weird about the Roman Empire, The soldiers were not even allowed in the capitol. Maybe it worked better that way? In starship troopers, the military seemed to have the most control over the government and the people.

Nate
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Posted 10/28/02 - 11:47 AM:	#9
Military action is what was determining the decisions of the government.

Fire drill
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Posted 10/28/02 - 05:30 PM:	#10
In all (former) eastern block countries was a similar policy regarding military service, with minor changes according to each country. Yet it is true that this region was not ruled by a military government, but by a unique party and secret police. f.d.

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