Changes

== Political themes ==

== Political themes ==

Producer Gene Roddenberry emphasized his "utopian vision" of humanity’s future. Following this vision, humanity is considered to have achieved perfection in ''Star Trek''. This includes overcoming greed, hate, jealousy, as well as ethnic and national rivalries.<ref name=walker>Walker, J., [http://thiswastv.com/2012/08/29/same-as-it-ever-was-star-trek-after-gene-roddenberry/ Same As It Ever Was?: Star Trek After Gene Roddenberry], ''This Was Television''</ref> In the original series, this vision is illustrated by the use a Russian man and a black woman as regular minor characters (Chekov and Uhura). The Federation's charter, in fact, was a word-for-word copy of the United Nations charter, and by extension, the constitution for the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]].<ref>[https://www.conservativenewsandviews.com/2016/08/18/editorial/entertainment/articles-of-federation/ Articles of Federation] on Conservative News and Views</ref>

Producer Gene Roddenberry emphasized his "utopian vision" of humanity's future. Following this vision, humanity is considered to have achieved perfection in ''Star Trek''. This includes overcoming greed, hate, jealousy, as well as ethnic and national rivalries.<ref name=walker>Walker, J., [http://thiswastv.com/2012/08/29/same-as-it-ever-was-star-trek-after-gene-roddenberry/ Same As It Ever Was?: Star Trek After Gene Roddenberry], ''This Was Television''</ref> In the original series, this vision is illustrated by the use a Russian man and a black woman as regular minor characters (Chekov and Uhura). The Federation's charter, in fact, was a word-for-word copy of the United Nations charter, and by extension, the constitution for the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]].<ref>[https://www.conservativenewsandviews.com/2016/08/18/editorial/entertainment/articles-of-federation/ Articles of Federation] on Conservative News and Views</ref>

Negative characteristics are generally found only in alien races. In a typical episode, one alien race is trying to enslave another, and the ''Enterprise'' intervenes to restore balance. The principle of equality is thus applied universally, with the Declaration of Independence sometimes mentioned explicitly.<ref>"The Omega Glory", March 1, 1968. Watch Kirk read the Declaration of Independence [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b56e0u0EgQ here]. It's with feeling; He is obviously an American.</ref> In these episodes, the Federation stands in for the United States, while the villain species stands in for Communists or Nazis.<ref name=Cantor>Cantor, Paul A., ''Gilligan Unbound: Pop Culture in the Age of Globalization'', p. 46.</ref> In other episodes, an alien species is used to comment on imperfections in contemporary America. One episode depicts a species divided into two races by skin color.<ref>“Let This Be Your Last Battlefield”, Jan. 10, 1969.</ref> For one race, the left side is white, and right side is black. For the other race, these colors are reversed.<ref name=Cantor/>

Negative characteristics are generally found only in alien races. In a typical episode, one alien race is trying to enslave another, and the ''Enterprise'' intervenes to restore balance. The principle of equality is thus applied universally, with the Declaration of Independence sometimes mentioned explicitly.<ref>"The Omega Glory", March 1, 1968. Watch Kirk read the Declaration of Independence [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b56e0u0EgQ here]. It's with feeling; He is obviously an American.</ref> In these episodes, the Federation stands in for the United States, while the villain species stands in for Communists or Nazis.<ref name=Cantor>Cantor, Paul A., ''Gilligan Unbound: Pop Culture in the Age of Globalization'', p. 46.</ref> In other episodes, an alien species is used to comment on imperfections in contemporary America. One episode depicts a species divided into two races by skin color.<ref>“Let This Be Your Last Battlefield”, Jan. 10, 1969.</ref> For one race, the left side is white, and right side is black. For the other race, these colors are reversed.<ref name=Cantor/>

In the original series, the military nature of Starfleet combined with the need for adventure and dramatic conflict were sufficient to limit the influence of Roddenberry's left-wing views. These episodes were recorded prior to the feminist era, so gender relations are according to nature and tradition. The early seasons of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' suffered severely from the Roddenberry vision. For example, the character Q was used to parody God. Roddenberry’s skeptical view of religion was detailed in several dialogs between Q and Picard.<ref name=walker /> As Roddenberry’s health declined, Rick Berman's influence grew. He was promoted to executive producer during the third season of TNG. ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', a Berman creation, broke with the Roddenberry vision in several ways. It included various flawed human characters, and we learned that Starfleet has a secret agency called Section 31 that was responsible for various atrocities.<ref name=walker />   

In the original series, the military nature of Starfleet combined with the need for adventure and dramatic conflict were sufficient to limit the influence of Roddenberry's left-wing views. These episodes were recorded prior to the feminist era, so gender relations are according to nature and tradition. The early seasons of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' suffered severely from the Roddenberry vision. For example, the character Q was used to parody God. Roddenberry's skeptical view of religion was detailed in several dialogs between Q and Picard.<ref name=walker /> As Roddenberry's health declined, Rick Berman's influence grew. He was promoted to executive producer during the third season of TNG. ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', a Berman creation, broke with the Roddenberry vision in several ways. It included various flawed human characters, and we learned that Starfleet has a secret agency called Section 31 that was responsible for various atrocities.<ref name=walker />   

As the citizens of the Federation have access to goods in unlimited supply, it does not have a conventional economy. However, various characters are depicted as running small businesses such as vineyards or restaurants, presumably just for the fun of it.<ref>Yglesias, Matthew, “[http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2013/11/18/star_trek_economy_federation_is_only_mostly_post_scarcity.html The Star Trek Economy: (Mostly) Post-Scarcity (Mostly) Socialism]", ''Slate''. Nov. 18, 2013.</ref> On the issue of money, the show is inconsistent. Some episodes claim that the Federation has abolished money, others depict Federation citizens bartering for latinum, the Ferengi currency. The Ferengi are traders and businessmen and have an unfettered free market economy. Although it is never made clear what kind of economy the Federation itself has, the Ferengi and other races are depicted as envious of it.<ref>See e.g. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hdiuRMK3UQ this video].</ref>

As the citizens of the Federation have access to goods in unlimited supply, it does not have a conventional economy. However, various characters are depicted as running small businesses such as vineyards or restaurants, presumably just for the fun of it.<ref>Yglesias, Matthew, “[http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2013/11/18/star_trek_economy_federation_is_only_mostly_post_scarcity.html The Star Trek Economy: (Mostly) Post-Scarcity (Mostly) Socialism]", ''Slate''. Nov. 18, 2013.</ref> On the issue of money, the show is inconsistent. Some episodes claim that the Federation has abolished money, others depict Federation citizens bartering for latinum, the Ferengi currency. The Ferengi are traders and businessmen and have an unfettered free market economy. Although it is never made clear what kind of economy the Federation itself has, the Ferengi and other races are depicted as envious of it.<ref>See e.g. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hdiuRMK3UQ this video].</ref>

Roddenberry was also supportive of same-sex relationships, and wanted to integrate homosexual characters into his second series, ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', reasoning that by the 24th century "no one would care." According to his personal assistant, Ernie Over, "'''He had an agenda (see [[homosexual agenda]]), which was to get gay people onto 'Star Trek.'"'''<ref name=salon>https://www.salon.com/2001/06/30/gay_trek/</ref> However, this proposal was met with resistance by [[Paramount Television]], who reasoned that because the show would eventually be syndicated, it would be accessible to young children for whom such material would be extremely inappropriate.  There are some hints of Roddenberry's in early episodes of ''TNG'', such as the notorious background extras wearing skirts.<ref>[http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/en/images/e/ee/Man_in_a_skant.jpg Here] is an image.</ref>

Roddenberry was also supportive of same-sex relationships, and wanted to integrate homosexual characters into his second series, ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', reasoning that by the 24th century "no one would care." According to his personal assistant, Ernie Over, "'''He had an agenda (see [[homosexual agenda]]), which was to get gay people onto 'Star Trek.'"'''<ref name=salon>https://www.salon.com/2001/06/30/gay_trek/</ref> However, this proposal was met with resistance by [[Paramount Television]], who reasoned that because the show would eventually be syndicated, it would be accessible to young children for whom such material would be extremely inappropriate.  There are some hints of Roddenberry's in early episodes of ''TNG'', such as the notorious background extras wearing skirts.<ref>[http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/en/images/e/ee/Man_in_a_skant.jpg Here] is an image.</ref>

An early episode of ''TNG'', "Blood and Fire," was intended to be an allegory for AIDS and was to feature homosexual characters. It was never produced, but went on to be used in the fan-produced ''Star Trek: Phase II''.<ref>http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2013/09/11/tv-legends-revealed-star-trek-tng-wouldnt-air-episode-with-gay-crewmen/</ref> Roddenberry repeatedly promised to broach the issue in later seasons but never did before his death. Notably, Whoopi Goldberg attempted to use [[politically correct]], gender-neutral language when explaining sexuality but was rebuffed. She said, "This show is beyond that. It should be 'When two people are in love.'" And so it was decided on set that one of the tables in the background should have two men holding hands — or two women, or whatever. But someone ran to a phone and made a call to the Paramount production office and that was nixed. [Producer] David Livingston came down and made sure that didn’t happen."<ref name=salon />

An early episode of ''TNG'', "Blood and Fire," was intended to be an allegory for AIDS and was to feature homosexual characters. It was never produced, but went on to be used in the fan-produced ''Star Trek: Phase II''.<ref>http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2013/09/11/tv-legends-revealed-star-trek-tng-wouldnt-air-episode-with-gay-crewmen/</ref> Roddenberry repeatedly promised to broach the issue in later seasons but never did before his death. Notably, Whoopi Goldberg attempted to use [[politically correct]], gender-neutral language when explaining sexuality but was rebuffed. She said, "This show is beyond that. It should be 'When two people are in love.'" And so it was decided on set that one of the tables in the background should have two men holding hands — or two women, or whatever. But someone ran to a phone and made a call to the Paramount production office and that was nixed. [Producer] David Livingston came down and made sure that didn't happen."<ref name=salon />

Despite the absence of major homosexual characters, several story lines have indirectly depicted homosexual and other relationships in a positive, or at the very least ambiguous light. For example, in ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', Commander William Riker (presumed heterosexual from a previous relationship with Deanna Troi) falls in love with an individual from an androgynous race.<ref>''The Outcast'', originally aired Mar. 16, 1992.</ref>

Despite the absence of major homosexual characters, several story lines have indirectly depicted homosexual and other relationships in a positive, or at the very least ambiguous light. For example, in ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', Commander William Riker (presumed heterosexual from a previous relationship with Deanna Troi) falls in love with an individual from an androgynous race.<ref>''The Outcast'', originally aired Mar. 16, 1992.</ref>