NationStates Jolt Archive

I don't know how many of you have read the book, or seen the (bastardized) movie, but, this question deals with the type of government of the Terran Federation.

The Terran Federation is a Military Meritocracy, where only people that have served the Federation can participate in the governmental process, and be called citizens. The other civilians that are not citizens still have the same rights as citizens, but cannot vote.

Now, the question...

Is the right to participate in the democratic process so important to you, that you would serve in the armed forces in order to gain citizenship?

As long as the nation didn't war all the time, I'd be fine with it.

Is the right to participate in the democratic process so important to you, that you would serve in the armed forces in order to gain citizenship?

So important to me, in fact, that I would work for the overthrow of such a fascist system of government.

So important to me, in fact, that I would work for the overthrow of such a fascist system of government.

For the sake of the question, please assume that overthrow/revolution was not an option. Please?

I suppose might be a little hesitant about aspects,but since, if memory serves, in the book at least military service didn't necesarily mean more dangerous frontline gurnt, work but also other less dangerous branches of the millitary. Job as a mechanic or such might actually be pretty interesting.
Edit: on further reflection I could have sworn that in the book any type of goverment job, never mind now I rember citizenship was necesary for any gov job.

I love that book, but the style of goverment has always bothered me. For one, it never addressed what happens if you have someone like me, unable to serve due to disability. Well, I want to exercise my right to vote, and to do so I have to serve, but I can't serve, so then what?

I love that book, but the style of goverment has always bothered me. For one, it never addressed what happens if you have someone like me, unable to serve due to disability. Well, I want to exercise my right to vote, and to do so I have to serve, but I can't serve, so then what?

If you're smart enough I'm sure they'd stick you in the intelligence or tactics offices.

I love that book, but the style of goverment has always bothered me. For one, it never addressed what happens if you have someone like me, unable to serve due to disability. Well, I want to exercise my right to vote, and to do so I have to serve, but I can't serve, so then what?

If I recall, you still could do your Federal Service, and gain citizenship, regardless of physical disability.

If I recall, you still could do your Federal Service, and gain citizenship, regardless of physical disability.
Yes, the exact quote is But if you came in here in a wheel chair and blind in both eyes and were silly enough to insist on enrolling, they would find something silly enough to match. Counting the fuzz on a caterpillar by touch, maybe.
Which does not sound too encouraging for those phyiscally unable to serve in the military.

Well...counting fuzz is important...sure!

Yes, I would and I currently support this idea...I like how it seems to make people in other nations with similar polocy very proud to be a citizen and how it creates a large military to protect.

Though I don't think this military should be used offensivly, but rather these citizens who join up for citizenship should be used to protect our nation and only the nation.

There are actually other things in the book I'd want to use, but I'm not going to go into detail.

I love that book, but the style of goverment has always bothered me. For one, it never addressed what happens if you have someone like me, unable to serve due to disability. Well, I want to exercise my right to vote, and to do so I have to serve, but I can't serve, so then what?
Starship Troopers is often considered to be an example of Fascism that di not fail and in a true Fascist society everybody who has some ability to contribute should contribute. So it can be assumed that the Government would find something for you to do even if it is not fighting for your country.

Ease up on the purple type, hoss!

Yes, I would and I currently support this idea...I like how it seems to make people in other nations with similar polocy very proud to be a citizen and how it creates a large military to protect.

Though I don't think this military should be used offensivly, but rather these citizens who join up for citizenship should be used to protect our nation and only the nation.
What nations currently use this policy? I know there are nations that require military service of all citizens, but which require it for citizenship?

Ease up on the purple type, hoss!
I'll pass, I like purple.
What nations currently use this policy? I know there are nations that require military service of all citizens, but which require it for citizenship?
Well, I suppose I should have been clear. I mean manditory military service, but to me it's more or less the same because you lose much by not serving in the military...but I think the results would be the same.

If the government taxes me I should have the right to vote and have my say in how the money is spent.

If the government taxes me I should have the right to vote and have my say in how the money is spent.

Ummm...ok.

That was completly off topic.

Ummm...ok.

That was completly off topic.

Sorry, misread the question.

And, I do not know whether I would join the armed services if it was the only way to vote (more likly I would be a revolutionary troublemaker).

I thought the movie was a hilarious satire of the book's fundamental themes and ideas. A very underrated film IMO.

Sorry, misread the question.

And, I do not know whether I would join the armed services if it was the only way to vote (more likly I would be a revolutionary troublemaker).
Thats ok. For the sake of the question, assume that revolution is impossible, for some reason or another.

I thought the movie was a hilarious satire of the book's fundamental themes and ideas. A very underrated film IMO.

The film, in my opinon, was unfair to the book and campy (not that I like the book, the opposite).

As for the question, since revolution is impossible, I would keep my head down and avoid that which could lead to an early death.

I thought the movie was a hilarious satire of the book's fundamental themes and ideas. A very underrated film IMO.
I agree that the movie was a good satire of nationalism, facism, and other maters, though I disagree with the claim that Heinland was nesecarily promoting those values. If you read a lot of his work their are a wide range of political philosophies, in his books, from democratic socialist, to libertarian, to anarchistic, to New World Mysticism.

Umm that's how I got my citizenship in the US (sped things up a tad). Service means citizenship! :p

Umm that's how I got my citizenship in the US (sped things up a tad). Service means citizenship! :p

Ahhh...quotible Terran Media.

I don't know how many of you have read the book, or seen the (bastardized) movie, but, this question deals with the type of government of the Terran Federation.

The Terran Federation is a Military Meritocracy, where only people that have served the Federation can participate in the governmental process, and be called citizens. The other civilians that are not citizens still have the same rights as citizens, but cannot vote.

Now, the question...

Is the right to participate in the democratic process so important to you, that you would serve in the armed forces in order to gain citizenship?

Well. 44.7% of those who have the right to vote in the US didn't bother to get off their asses in 2004 and use it.

If they're so apathetic about the right to vote when it's free, you can be damn sure none of them are going to actually fight for the right to vote.

I would though. You're damned tootin'

I thought the movie was a hilarious satire of the book's fundamental themes and ideas. A very underrated film IMO.
Yeah...I liked it a lot! It might not be true to the book, (the book waſn't "narrative-driven" enough, according to the material that came with my DVD. That confuſes me, but whatever :P) but it's a lot of fun to watch anyway. Having read the book, people are often looking out for problems, and they, without realizing it, ruin the movie for themſelves. I almoſt did the ſame thing with "Wing Commander" before chilling out and juſt enjoying it on its own merits. Both are cool :)

I almost did the same thing with "Wing Commander" before chilling out and just enjoying it on its own merits. Both are cool :)

Wing Commander was one of the most idiotic movies I have ever seen. The acting is horrable and the characters are so hateable that you want them to all die.

And were those aliens supposed to be scary?

Wing Commander was one of the most idiotic movies I have ever seen. The acting is horrable and the characters are so hateable that you want them to all die.

And were those aliens supposed to be scary?

Plus, it had that scary arab commander dude.

Wing Commander was one of the most idiotic movies I have ever seen. The acting is horrable and the characters are so hateable that you want them to all die.

And were those aliens supposed to be scary?
You ever play any of the games? :)


Plus, it had that scary arab commander dude.
what arab dude? O.o

I don't remember an arab dude

The commander dude. I forgot his name.

He also played the lead terrorist airline hyjacker guy in Executive Decision.

You ever play any of the games? :)


No, but I've read about them. They're not really my taste.

And why don't they just nuke all the planets were there are bugs? Why do they send connan fodder at them instead of simply building super-weapons and obiliterating them?

The commander dude. I forgot his name.

He also played the lead terrorist airline hyjacker guy in Executive Decision.

Jürgen Prochnow, right? ;)

Nah, it's David Suchet

The commander dude. I forgot his name.

He also played the lead terrorist airline hyjacker guy in Executive Decision.

That was a ok movie but the title has always annoyed me. There was never an Executive Decision made in the movie: the President was not a character and did not do anything.

That was a ok movie but the title has always annoyed me. There was never an Executive Decision made in the movie: the President was not a character and did not do anything.
Halle Berry looked so unbelievibly kinky in that flight attendant uniform.

Halle Berry looked so unbelievibly kinky in that flight attendant uniform.
makes my weewee wanna cry

makes my weewee wanna cry
Ewwwww...not THAT kinky!

Ewwwww...not THAT kinky!
i diſagree