Re: Why Space Empires?

CharlesRCaplan@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
Why is the "Space Empire" so popular in SF? It seems that the vast
majority of all "far future" SF (which I suppose most of which is
Space Opera) have some sort of Monarchy and/or Feudalistic system of
government. Is it just a literary crutch or is it more a reasoned
response to the problem of ruling a large geographically
(astrographically) separated polity? Is it just some sort of
(misplaced?) nostalgia for the forms and protocols that attach to such
a system?

I'll leave out stories that require a character have a direct loyal
fealty to the "Galactic Ruler." (For example a recent Webber novel _In
Fury Born_ where the protagonist must have a direct loyalty and fealty
to the emperor to explain some of her motivations and actions.) I will
grant that the needs of the story, to explain character motivations,
trumps just about anything else.

But why so many monarchies when there are so many other government
types to choose from? (I'll not list all of them, you can try (http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_forms_of_government) for a nice list.)
There must be some romanticism that I'm missing.

You're failing to allow for the fact that monarchy has the best track record in history for stability. Democracies tend to self-destruct within a few generations, and republics typically grow corrupt. The United States of America has had a splendid run, no doubt, but it's been nearly unique in human history, and the present political condition is beginning to bring to mind "The Deacon's Masterpiece". (Hmmm! Somehow or other I seem to be being stalked this week by "Candide".)

Apart from that, there have been several major influences both without and within the SF ghetto. Ruritania, Graustark, and Oz, Mongo, Arrakis, and Trantor all have had their parts to play.

Superman plots also favor monarchy. The political aspects of "First Lensman" are rather embarrassing.


--
John W. Kennedy
"The first effect of not believing in God is to believe in anything...."
-- Emile Cammaerts, "The Laughing Prophet"
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Why Space Empires?
    ... Space Opera) have some sort of Monarchy and/or Feudalistic system of ... But why so many monarchies when there are so many other government ... analysis translate to an "empire" that spanned Earth, ...
    (rec.arts.sf.composition)
  • Re: Why Space Empires?
    ... most of which is Space Opera) have some sort of Monarchy ... and/or Feudalistic system of government. ... it's been used, even by serious historians, to ...
    (rec.arts.sf.composition)
  • Re: Britain pulls Prince Bullet Magnet out of Afghanistan
    ... I do not agree with you that monarchy rewards privilege. ... parliamentary form of government, someone must decide after a general ... Admittedly we put up our kings and queens in palaces. ... But getting back to your question, what is Prince Henry for? ...
    (alt.talk.royalty)
  • Re: UK: Intelligent design creeps on to courses
    ... The Brits have to believe in Creationism, their government is based on ... indeed rule and by Divine Right, ... would bring about the end of the monarchy in short order. ... they will be with Charles. ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: CRIT: "The Day They Took Port Sharehold" opening
    ... 'County Government': 'monarchy' refers first to a *form* of ... "monarchy" refers to the form of government, ... as actually happened with county government in England recently.) ... On the other hand, for me, I think it's unnatural to construe "Goverment" as referring to an individual or a body of individuals, except insofar as it is engaging in official business, since I think of it as distributed over multiple loosely connected institutions with variable numbers of members -- and that would be true even in a monarchy! ...
    (rec.arts.sf.composition)