This could have gone in another thread, but would have taken it FAR off topic. Instead I've decided to start a new thread. Hard time deciding whether to put it in the H&S forum or this one, but since it is ultimately Star Trek, I decided on this one.
In TOS the Federation is not really seen as Socialist, at least in my eyes. It is more symbolic of freedom and equality much as the Democracies of the Western World. In fact I'd say it represented the US, and to a lesser extent the UN. This is even seen in TOS overall for the first few seasons. In that it is seen as the Ultimate of freedom and expression as well as deciding what one wishes and chances for bettering one's life.
On the otherhand it can be seen in TOS that the Klingons represent more of the USSR and the Romulans, when present in the few episodes they show up, as the Chinese. Some will even go far enough to say the Vulcans were representative of the Japanese.
This continued into the first three seasons of TNG. In opposition to all things of individuality and freedom, a new race which could almost be seen as the ULTIMATE of Socialism or Communism was brought up, the borg. It is where all are completely equal, and all is held in common, so much so that they seek to bring all to an equal footing, and no one has anything above any other, including thoughts.
This is seen as evil. It is obvious evil. Hence the vast differences between the capitalitic Democracies vs. the more Communistic Socialism.
However, after Roddenberry was gone, one starts seeing a dynamic shift in how people's and organizations are percieved. The Borg suddenly get an heirarchy, one with a queen. At the same time the Federation becomes more of a Socialistic government with everyone being held in equality...excluding in an obvious flaw, the officers in Star Fleet and the amount of equality of command between them. It is then the Ferengi who are more capitalistic, and during DS9 they get a more favorable view, much like the Western Powers in conjunction with the UN or the US. At the same time the Klingons are viewed more as an oriental race in some regards, though the roots could be thought to stem from the TNG ideas of honor and such, many of that came from the fourth and fifth seasons of TNG and it's dealings with Klingons.
So here's the thought. Roddenberry, a former AF Officer paralleled the Federation to the US. HIS Federation was not Socialistic, but had more of a direct parallel between the US governments and democracies. To show the differences in his parrallels, he showed the other societies which would represent the communist or Socialistic agendas...and these almost always were in conflict with the Federation. Peace was the point many times of his shows, but it still showed how diametrically opposed these two forms of government were.
On the otherhand, as we see Berman gain more of an influence, we see the Federation change to more of a uniquely Socialistic form of government. Hence the views of Berman and Roddenberry overall are different in approach, and how they see the future.
Just some thoughts as I've watched the TNG seasons 1 through 5 this week along with Voyager Season 1.
Any comments on this, or how you see this?
Topic: The Roddenberry Federation vs. the Berman Federation (Read 2235 times)