Posted by Steven R. Harbin on June 30, 1999 at 04:05:20:
In Reply to: Re: Vance's Poetry and Starship Troopers posted by Nick on June 30, 1999 at 02:50:15:
: I know what you are saying about Heinlein, but I would disagree. Heinlein believes in a powerful overarching state (see Starship Troopers), I believe Vance is Viscerally opposed to that idea.
: I enjoyed Heinlein, but his politics freighten me.
No offense, but this is about as far off the mark of Heinlein as you can get. You need to read some of his other works and you'll see that in fact he was close to what is called "libertarian" in his views, felt that the state needed to stay out of most people's business and allow them to live as their individual choices dictate. Some Libertarians believe about the only excuse for government is to have a common military defense and that maybe what he was trying to do with Starship Troopers, but to read only that one work and say he was for an all powerful state is not what most believe about Heinlein's politics. See Time Enough for Love, Farnham's Freehold, Citizen of the Galaxy, Stranger in a Strange Land, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, etc. and see if you still think Starship Troopers states his political philosophy.
Take care.
Steven R. Harbin