StarGate vs Libertarianism

[Sphairon]

Caution: if you keep reading without possessing the knowledge of the Ancients, Thor’s Hammer will teleport you to the Democratic Underground. [:)]

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So. I think we all learned to love StarGate because we’re all, in one way or another, fascinated by the prospects of life outside Earth. Yet the way interstellar interaction is displayed, and the means by which much of this comes about, are often frustrating and uninspiring for libertarian-minded adventurers. This thread is meant to provide an outlet for our dismay with this fine series and to encourage solution-oriented thinking regarding many of the complex problems posed by interstellar relations as portrayed in the StarGate universe.

Now, where shall we begin? Perhaps at the very beginning:

1. The StarGate program is a secret military project. Yet somehow, all the near-screwups caused by the program never produce negative consequences, and if they do, they are successfully resolved by “our men in uniform”. StarGate reinforces the view that we can rely on an unaccountable, impenetrable and openly corrupt (see rogue NID activities, The Trust, frequent references to self-serving military bureaucrats and politicians) system to protect us from, well, basically anything. It just seemed like a conservative bent to me in the beginning, but later on, it became an increasingly central and increasingly neo-con part of the theme.

2. (a little jump forward) Why did the Jaffa tribes have to form a centralized democracy? This had been bugging me ever since it first came up. The Jaffa seemed to me like a highly decentralized and diverse group of humanoids whose only major commonality was their descent. Leaving single tribes alone and promoting trade and exchange among them seems like the way to go, right? Instead, the neo-con “end of history” system is introduced which immediately leads to attritional connivery and power grabs, yet everyone involved clings to this method. Even when Gerak is compromised by the Ori and centralized democracy nearly leads to the “legislative” defeat of the Jaffa by the Ori, the system remains uncriticizable.

3. Richard Woolsey’s role is a total fail, at least in SG1. Woolsey agrees to investigate the untransparent ways of SGC, and unsurprisingly comes to a negative conclusion. Yet as it turns out, this “concerned citizen”, “transparent government” type was just a naive tool used by treacherous politicians for their own ends. In other words, criticizing the unaccountable, yet efficient military system is aiding treason. Naturally, when Woolsey decides to “go wishy-washy” on Anubis’ son, this ends in disaster. Lesson to be learned: get 'em fast, and get 'em hard. Those terr’ists, I mean, goa’ulds.

There’s much more to be said, but I’ll limit myself to this and see how much interest I have sparked. Looking forward to all of your input! [:)]

[L.C]

@Sphairon

The StarGate program is a secret military project.

This annoyed me well before I was a libertarian. To think of the potential applications of some of their discoveries - and they lock them in a storage closet in Area 51. Think of what would the worlds’ entrepreneurs could do with zat or sarcophagus tech!

@Sphairon

Yet somehow, all the near-screwups caused by the program never produce negative consequences, and if they do, they are successfully resolved by “our men in uniform”.

I think Sen. Kinsey summed this up nicely once. Of course he was arguing that what the project really needed was his oversight, but it was a brief clairvoyant moment.

@Sphairon

StarGate reinforces the view that we can rely on an unaccountable, impenetrable and openly corrupt (see rogue NID activities, The Trust, frequent references to self-serving military bureaucrats and politicians) system to protect us from, well, basically anything.

But you can trust SG-1 and Hammond! They are the good guys, fighting “the man”! But yes, the basic point stands; there are Good People in charge that are fighting for our best interests, and we’d all be dead without them.

@Sphairon

Why did the Jaffa tribes have to form a centralized democracy?

I’ve forgotten most of the plot beyond season 7 - the writing really went downhill from there - so I don’t really remember much about this. Did the Tau’ri push for the Jaffa to create a central government, or did it occur “naturally”?

@Sphairon

Even when Gerak is compromised by the Ori and centralized democracy nearly leads to the “legislative” defeat of the Jaffa by the Ori, the system remains uncriticizable.

LOL, I don’t remember this at all, did they really write this?!?

All I can say about the Ori is: Worst. Villains. Ever.

@Sphairon

Richard Woolsey’s role is a total fail, at least in SG1. Woolsey agrees to investigate the untransparent ways of SGC, and unsurprisingly comes to a negative conclusion. Yet as it turns out, this “concerned citizen”, “transparent government” type was just a naive tool used by treacherous politicians for their own ends.

It’s funny, I’ve had similar experience since engaging politicians. Once I got to be a bit too annoying, was given some token authority and limited access, then constantly reminded that I was there by their graces and had to learn to give and take (read: do what I was told). I’m very sympathetic with the Doctor - er, Woolsey.

@Sphairon

In other words, criticizing the unaccountable, yet efficient military system is aiding treason.

What do you mean by this?

Well I’m headed out for the night, but if you want to stray into discussion of the spinoffs, good potential discussions around the difference in attitude toward authority between Carter and McKay; and I thought Universe was promising when Rush contested Col. whats-his-name’s assumption of power and arbitrary discipline (unfortunately I think the writers are simply trying to pit everyone against everyone where no one has staked out the moral high ground, and don’t think I’ll bother with this series any longer).