{{Short description|Subgenre of science fiction}}{{Libertarianism US|expanded=culture}}Libertarian science fiction is a subgenre of science fiction that focuses on the politics and social order implied by right-libertarian philosophies with an emphasis on individualism and private ownership of the means of productionâ€”and in some cases, no state whatsoever.WEB, A Political History of SF

first=Eric,weblink 2007-12-04,

Overview

As a category, libertarian fiction is unusual because the vast majority of its authors are self-identified as science fiction authors. This contrasts with the authors of much other social criticism who are largely academic or mainstream novelists who tend to dismiss any genre classification. The identification between libertarianism and science fiction is so strong that the U.S. Libertarian Party often has representatives at science fiction conventions{{citation needed|date =October 2015}} and one of the highest profile authors currently in the subgenre of libertarian science fiction, L. Neil Smith, was the Arizona Libertarian Party's 2000 candidate for the President of the United States.WEB, Presidential Elections Statistics 2000 Popular Votes for L. Neil Smith (most recent) by state,weblink 2007-12-04, As a genre, it can be seen{{vague|date=October 2020}} as growing out of the 1930s and 1940s when the science-fiction pulp magazines were reaching their peak at the same time as fascism and communism. While this environment gave rise to dystopian novels, in the pulps, this influence more often give rise to speculations about societies (or sub-groups) arising in direct opposition to "totalitarianism".Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged is a strong (perhaps the strongest) influence with an anti-socialist attitude and an individualist ethic that echoes throughout the genre.WEB, But Is It Science Fiction? â€“ Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged

first=John C.,weblink 2007-12-04,

Of more direct relevance to the science fiction end of this genre is the work of Robert A. Heinlein, particularly his novel The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, which is highly regarded even by non-libertarian science fiction readers.

Some other prominent libertarian science fiction authors include S. Andrew SwannWEB,weblink S. Andrew Swann, 2008-04-02, Spectrum Literary Agency, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20080905184510weblink">weblink 2008-09-05, and Michael Z. Williamson.WEB,weblink Freehold / Michael Z. Williamson, 2008-04-02, Wagner, T. M., 2004, sfreviews.net, In 1979, L. Neil Smith founded an award for libertarian science fiction, the Prometheus Award. Since 1982, the award has been given out by the Libertarian Futurist Society "to provide encouragement to science fiction writers whose books examine the meaning of freedom." Some winners of the award identify as libertarians (e.g., L. Neil Smith, Victor Koman, Brad Linaweaver), while others do not (Terry Pratchett, Charles Stross).

Notable examples

Poul Anderson,Â No Truce with KingsÂ (1963)
Robert A. Heinlein, The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress{{ref|Alpha|note}} (1966)
Victor Koman, Kings of the High Frontier (1996)
Ira Levin, This Perfect DayÂ (1970)
Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle,Â Lucifer's Hammer (1977)
Peterson, Roy C., Nationalist Revolution SeriesÂ (2012-2023)
Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged (1957)
Kenneth W. Royce, Molon Labe! (2004)
Eric Frank Russell, ... And Then There Were None,WEB, ... And Then There Were None,weblink WEB, ... And Then There Were None (audiobook),weblink The Great ExplosionÂ (1962)
J. Neil Schulman, Alongside Night (1979)
L. Neil Smith, The Probability Broach (1979)
Neal Stephenson,Â Cryptonomicon (1999)
Jack Vance, EmphyrioÂ (1969)
F. Paul Wilson,Â Wheels Within WheelsÂ (1978)

Notes

{{note|Alpha|note}}In the novel, the inhabitants of the Lunar colony start a revolution against Earth rule and declare independence on July 4, 2076, the 300th anniversary of the United States' Declaration of Independence. The Lunar revolutionaries heavily base their Luna declaration of independence on it. A common expression on Luna that states one of the main ideas of the book's political system is "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch!".

References

External links

"Essential Science Fiction and Fantasy for Libertarians" by Dan Clore
Speech by author David Brin to 2002 Libertarian Party National Convention (U.S.)
weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20041207205024weblink">Speech by author L. Neil Smith at the Colorado Libertarian Party Annual Convention
The Libertarian Futurist Society Website
10 Greatest Libertarian Science Fiction Stories, by Alasdair Wilkins for io9
JOURNAL, Riggenbach, Jeff, Libertarianism and Science Fiction: What's the Connection?, Mises Daily, Ludwig von Mises Institute, February 11, 2011,weblink
JOURNAL, Riggenbach, Jeff, Some Further Notes on Libertarian Science Fiction, Mises Daily, Ludwig von Mises Institute, March 11, 2011,weblink

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libertarian science fiction

Overview

Notable examples

See also

Notes

References

External links