Libertarian science fiction
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Libertarian science fiction is a
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
As a genre, it can be seen[
Some other prominent libertarian science fiction authors include S. Andrew Swann[4] and Michael Z. Williamson.[5]
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, No Truce with Kings (1963)
- Robert A. Heinlein, The Moon Is a Harsh Mistressnote (1966)
- Victor Koman, Kings of the High Frontier (1996)
- Ira Levin, This Perfect Day (1970)
- Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, Lucifer's Hammer (1977)
- Peterson, Roy C., Nationalist Revolution Series (2012-2023)
- Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged (1957)
- Molon Labe!(2004)
- Eric Frank Russell, ... And Then There Were None,[6][7] The Great Explosion (1962)
- J. Neil Schulman, Alongside Night (1979)
- L. Neil Smith, The Probability Broach (1979)
- Neal Stephenson, Cryptonomicon (1999)
- Jack Vance, Emphyrio (1969)
- F. Paul Wilson, Wheels Within Wheels (1978)
See also
Notes
:
References
- ^ Raymond, Eric. "A Political History of SF". Retrieved 2007-12-04.
- ^ "Presidential Elections Statistics 2000 Popular Votes for L. Neil Smith (most recent) by state". Retrieved 2007-12-04.
- ^ Snider, John C. "But Is It Science Fiction? – Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged". Retrieved 2007-12-04.
- ^ "S. Andrew Swann". Spectrum Literary Agency. Archived from the original on 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
- ^ Wagner, T. M. (2004). "Freehold / Michael Z. Williamson". sfreviews.net. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
- ^ "... And Then There Were None".
- ^ "... And Then There Were None (audiobook)".
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.)
- 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
- Riggenbach, Jeff (February 11, 2011). "Libertarianism and Science Fiction: What's the Connection?". Mises Daily. Ludwig von Mises Institute.
- Riggenbach, Jeff (March 11, 2011). "Some Further Notes on Libertarian Science Fiction". Mises Daily. Ludwig von Mises Institute.