The Politics of ‘Star Trek’: ‘Patterns of Force’

Above title and source from this article
bighollywood.breitbart.com...

I'm an absolute geek when it comes to Star Trek. When I saw this article concerning Star Trek and politics, it was inetivable that I'd bring this to ATS's attention.

I’m not saying the creators of “Star Trek” were conservatives; they weren’t. But liberalism has shifting values, and for a brief period at the end of the 1960s, liberalism temporarily overlapped with the values of classical liberalism, which is the foundation of modern conservatism. “Star Trek” benefited from this. In fact, I think you’ll be surprised how deeply conservative these shows are. So join us as we dissect the conservative nature of “Star Trek,” the original series, and sometimes compare it to the intensely liberal “Next Generation.” Let’s start today with Episode 50: “Patterns of Force.”

The Plot

This is “the Nazi episode.” The Enterprise is sent to the planet Ekos to investigate the disappearance of Federation historian John Gill. Gill, one of Kirk’s professors at Starfleet Academy, went to Ekos to observe their culture. As the Enterprise nears Ekos, the crew is shocked when a nuclear missile is fired at them. Beaming down in secret, they discover that the Ekosians have replicated Nazi Germany, right down to the uniforms, and the Ekosians are planning to exterminate their peaceful planetary neighbors, the Zeons. What’s worse, John Gill has made himself the Führer! Eventually, Kirk and Spock find a way to get to Gill. When they reach him, they discover he’s been drugged into a stupor and is little more than a literal figurehead. Deputy Führer Melakon is the real power.

Why It’s Conservative

On its surface, you might think a story about Nazis is left wing. After all, Hollywood wants you to believe the Nazis were a right-wing phenomenon equivalent to Libertarianism/ Conservatism. This is laughable, as the national socialist Nazis were everything the left claims to love. Yet, many people still ignorantly accept the idea the Nazis were rightists rather than leftists because that’s what they’ve been taught by leftist teachers. So it shouldn’t surprise us if a show about Nazis was meant as an attack on conservatives.
But “Patterns of Force” isn’t actually an anti-Nazi story. Rather, it’s a warning against the idea of the “benign” totalitarian government.

The "take-home" line is this.

Rather, it’s a warning against the idea of the “benign” totalitarian government.

We have seen an assault on the Constitution constantly. From Bush's Patriot Act to Obama's recent attack on religious freedom and the 1st Ammendment.

We are on the eve of a benign dictatorship. They'll cover the chains with gifts of entitlements, and hide the fact that we have no more freedoms with the benefits of security.

I recommend you folks take a look at the article, even check out the Star Trek episode. You won't be dissappointed with either one.

beez

reply to post by beezzer


THIS is...amazing!!!!

I'm an absolute geek when it comes to Star Trek.

I thought that I might have been the BIGGEST "Star Trek" 'geek' on ATS....and, yet, here you are (?)

Many of your viewpoints that I have read seem to decry the aspects of "Star Trek"...the fundamental principles espoused, as I understand them.

Care to explain??

Thanks (in advance).....

( PS......I can cite many factoids about "Star Trek".....pencil neck geek here..... )



EDIT...OH, "Jeebus!!!!"

Can't believe I fell for this nonsense!!

The "Star Trek" episode titled Patterns of Force was an obvious statement about the current socio-political events in that era (the late 1960s).....

I am sure you (as a "Star Trek" fellow fan, am fully aware of this?? (I hope...I hope.....).....

reply to post by ProudBird
In what way? Are you refering to the form of world government after the nuclear war? Star Fleet Academy?

There are many aspects of Star Trek that mirrored society in the 60's. The ideal society at the time would have been a one-world government, not something I'd espouse. But the lessons that Star Trek taught were fundamental in my upbringing.

To me, it spoke of breaking free of comformity, questioning authority, and stepping out of ones comfort zone to explore. . . .

Plus it was just damned fun to watch.

Originally posted by ProudBird

EDIT...OH, "Jeebus!!!!"

Can't believe I fell for this nonsense!!

The "Star Trek" episode titled Patterns of Force was an obvious statement about the current socio-political events in that era (the late 1960s).....

I am sure you (as a "Star Trek" fellow fan, am fully aware of this?? (I hope...I hope.....).....

edit on Sat 11 February 2012 by ProudBird because: (no reason given)

I took it as the article writer took it, as a message about benign dictatorships and the falsehood of them.

I don't think it nonsense at all.

But to each his own. . . .

Roddenberry was promoting his vision of a Utopian Socialistic society with his creation of the Star Trek universe. It is far removed from anything to do with what the Constitution stands for.

Originally posted by Kenrichaed
Roddenberry was promoting his vision of a Utopian Socialistic society with his creation of the Star Trek universe. It is far removed from anything to do with what the Constitution stands for.

It had a more universal approach, but what was enjoyable was that it wasn't so American-centric.

Counting the days to a one world rodenberry style government to be honest.

Originally posted by Ixtab
Counting the days to a one world rodenberry style government to be honest.

The only way I could see it happening would be with a nuclear war to eliminate any government structure, world-wide.
And even then, it'd depend on the victors.

I'm actually looking for the one episode whre they came across a civilization wth the American flag.

Still searching.

ETA, The Omega Glory

reply to post by beezzer


Nah I doubt a global cataclysm is the answer, we would loose the internet, probably the very thing that will allow us to evolve past this backward notion of nationalism and borders.

Originally posted by Ixtab
reply to post by beezzer

 

Nah I doubt a global cataclysm is the answer, we would loose the internet, probably the very thing that will allow us to evolve past this backward notion of nationalism and borders.

I don't see any population of people willingly giving up their nationalism except in the case of a benign dictaorship. Then it'll be too late.

Star Trek is always interesting it's "look back" to our times and our near future. One of my favourites was the episode in DS9 where Sisko is sent back in time and is then put in place of the guy who starts the revolution to the "ideal" society they have. For those who don't know ST universe there is one world government type of situation except it's not evil and for example money doesn't excist anymore etc.

reply to post by beezzer


People wouldn't probably hold that true to their country or nationality if there were several species of aliens known to us. Some of which aren't that friendly either.

Originally posted by PsykoOps
Star Trek is always interesting it's "look back" to our times and our near future. One of my favourites was the episode in DS9 where Sisko is sent back in time and is then put in place of the guy who starts the revolution to the "ideal" society they have. For those who don't know ST universe there is one world government type of situation except it's not evil and for example money doesn't excist anymore etc.

I'm going to have to look that up. DS9 was something I missed due to work, deployments etc.

Any idea of the specific episode?

Originally posted by PsykoOps

People wouldn't probably hold that true to their country or nationality if there were several species of aliens known to us. Some of which aren't that friendly either.

edit on 11/2/2012 by PsykoOps because: (no reason given)

Would need more proof, but say (in a Star Trek universe) a Vulcan ship DID land, then it might shake up a few beliefs.

I don't see a one world government happening on Earth either but once we start migrating into space I think its really the only option.

Originally posted by Kenrichaed
I don't see a one world government happening on Earth either but once we start migrating into space I think its really the only option.

Wish I could give more than one star!

That would surely irritate the hell out of every poolitical leader.

And it would be brilliant!

Sorry i really dislike the original series.

2nd line

Originally posted by Haites
Sorry i really dislike the original series.

2nd line

*shakes fist*
No star for you!

The original series aside, the message is what is important. It's worth a look at least.

Originally posted by beezzer

Originally posted by PsykoOps

People wouldn't probably hold that true to their country or nationality if there were several species of aliens known to us. Some of which aren't that friendly either.

edit on 11/2/2012 by PsykoOps because: (no reason given)

Would need more proof, but say (in a Star Trek universe) a Vulcan ship DID land, then it might shake up a few beliefs.

edit on 11-2-2012 by beezzer because: (no reason given)

I cant provide proof to something that is happening in a scifi universe It's just logical. Also in ST there is several species, a starfleet and a whole bunch of unfriendly aliens. So I would imagine in such a situation your cultural background would become secondary just like what city you are from is nowadays. The episode of DS9 with sisko was Past tense part 1 and 2. It's season 3, ep 11 being part 1.
Also check out this picture of the "peace keepers" which is like a very tame version of modern police in the series.

reply to post by PsykoOps
Thanks for the info!

Also before I go level up my klingon in STonline I have to mention a tidbit trivia. Roddenberrys idea originally was that the starfleet would fall. There was to be a war and one ship was supposed to survive it by accident. It drifts too close to a black hole and ends up in suspended time untill retrieved in the future. Starfleet doesn't excist anymore and technology has gone back alot so it's the most powerfull ship around. This idea then was taken and made into a new universe which became andromeda. Now we have the new ST's which are bullocks. I mean seriously beam onto a ship that has been on warp for 3-4 hours???