The reason the book was called fascist by some people was because in order to become a citizen with the right to vote, a person must complete a term of federal service (which is often, but not always, military service). Heinlein was accused on basing this on Nazi Germany. But Heinlein himself says that he used Switzerland as inspiration.
Heineken was accused on basing this on Nazi Germany. But Heinlein himself says that he used Switzerland as inspiration.
How does the saying go? When you’re a hammer, everything else looks like a nail to you. Well, when you are a liberal then everything else looks like a Nazi to you.
It also reminds me of the early Roman republic. The Romans had a three per party and the body that was the comitia centuriata (which was the popular assembly but originally in Rome those in the assembly also served as citizen as soldiers) was one of the bodies that passed laws and the only body that could vote for higher magistrates like the Consul, Praetor and Censor and the only way to become a high ranking magistrate was to have had some sort of command in the legions prior.
In Starship Troopers, federal service is always voluntary and never compulsory. The logic behind this being that a society that can't depend upon volunteers for its own defense does not deserve to survive. If a person signs up for federal service, they can quit at any time. But if they quit before their term is up, they don't get the right to vote and they are never allowed to sign up for federal service again.
Right, and the core idea is that if someone wasn't willing to (potentially) sacrifice themselves for the whole, then they eschewed being able to make decisions for the whole (e.g. voting). Citizens were still otherwise granted all freedoms and liberties, though.
The way it's explained in the book is quite brilliant and made sense to me. Oh, and just like in the film, lightweights were actively discouraged from the start with people like the legless recruiter.
The reason the book was called fascist by some people was because in order to become a citizen with the right to vote, a person must complete a term of federal service (which is often, but not always, military service). Heinlein was accused on basing this on Nazi Germany. But Heinlein himself says that he used Switzerland as inspiration.
How does the saying go? When you’re a hammer, everything else looks like a nail to you. Well, when you are a liberal then everything else looks like a Nazi to you.
It also reminds me of the early Roman republic. The Romans had a three per party and the body that was the comitia centuriata (which was the popular assembly but originally in Rome those in the assembly also served as citizen as soldiers) was one of the bodies that passed laws and the only body that could vote for higher magistrates like the Consul, Praetor and Censor and the only way to become a high ranking magistrate was to have had some sort of command in the legions prior.
Israel also has mandatory service with the option of military or civil service if I remember correctly.
In Starship Troopers, federal service is always voluntary and never compulsory. The logic behind this being that a society that can't depend upon volunteers for its own defense does not deserve to survive. If a person signs up for federal service, they can quit at any time. But if they quit before their term is up, they don't get the right to vote and they are never allowed to sign up for federal service again.
U very smart on starship troopers.
I've always meant to read the book but never got around to it, unfortunately.
It's one of my favorite sci-fi novels. I've read it several times over the years.
Right, and the core idea is that if someone wasn't willing to (potentially) sacrifice themselves for the whole, then they eschewed being able to make decisions for the whole (e.g. voting). Citizens were still otherwise granted all freedoms and liberties, though.
The way it's explained in the book is quite brilliant and made sense to me. Oh, and just like in the film, lightweights were actively discouraged from the start with people like the legless recruiter.
Oh wow, that's a lot more than I thought there'd be. Thanks!!!