StalkerBro95 t1_itn9zaj wrote on October 24, 2022 at 10:05 PM

The point of the book is to be a criticism of facism viewed through that eyepiece. It's not supposed to be enticing or anything.

It's over the top, in your face about it as a cautionary tale. It's almost satirical in writing. Anyone who defends what's in the book, completely missed the point of the book. It's an incredible book when you understand what's actually written.

Frankennietzsche t1_itnanxz wrote on October 24, 2022 at 10:10 PM

This also can be said about the movie.

penubly t1_itnc5j2 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 10:21 PM

I submit that you missed the entire point of the novel.

It's a defense of those who serve, an essay on what is the nature of service and responsibility, and a proposal of a system that attempts to reward service rather than granting franchise to anyone.

Fafnir26 OP t1_itnacth wrote on October 24, 2022 at 10:07 PM

I think you are wrong. The movie was satirical. The book is not a criticism of the system described or its fans.

StalkerBro95 t1_itnap64 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 10:10 PM

Heinlein was a libertarian and an absolute critic of government involvement on personal freedoms. It was a critique.

Fafnir26 OP t1_itnb323 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 10:13 PM

Prove it. And if it was a critique there sure are a lot of people that like these encroachments of goverment.

StalkerBro95 t1_itnbbxr wrote on October 24, 2022 at 10:15 PM

I'm not the author I can't get exactly what his views were definitely when writing the book but if you read any of his other work, especially The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, you'll see that he's much more antigov/anticontrok than anything.

People who use this book to twist it is as support of fascism are prob fascist themselves. Doesn't make them right. I would absolutely advise you not to converse with anyone like that.

PuckSR t1_itnceed wrote on October 24, 2022 at 10:22 PM

His other book basically advocates for a post-scarcity communist Utopia where space-Jesus comes down and dies for our sins so that we can all live in what is essentially equivalent to a hippy commune.

The entire book (Starship Troopers) is presented from the perspective of an 18yo who joined the military for glory.

Now, as for the civil service thing? He basically copied the dual-level citizenship of countries like Rome, where there was a difference between having voting rights and being protected. Heck, even some stock shares operate on a similar principle.
I don't think you could view that election system as fascist and that is just about the only thing in the book that isn't presented as a mistake.