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'{{Libertarianism in the United States sidebar}} '''Libertarian science fiction''' is a [[subgenre]] of [[science fiction]] that focuses on the politics and social order implied by [[right libertarian|right-libertarian]] philosophies with an emphasis on [[individualism]] and private ownership of the means of production—and in some cases, [[Anti-statism|no state whatsoever]].<ref>{{cite web |title=A Political History of SF |last=Raymond |first=Eric |url=http://www.catb.org/~esr/writings/sf-history.html |access-date=2007-12-04}} </ref> ==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 [[United States|U.S.]] [[Libertarian Party (United States)|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 of Arizona|Libertarian Party's]] 2000 candidate for the [[President of the United States]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Presidential Elections Statistics 2000 Popular Votes for L. Neil Smith (most recent) by state |url=http://www.statemaster.com/graph/pre_2000_pop_vot_for_l_nei_smi-popular-votes-l-neil-smith|access-date=2007-12-04}}</ref> 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-socialism|anti-socialist]] attitude and an individualist ethic that echoes throughout the genre.<ref>{{cite web |title=But Is It Science Fiction? – Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged |last=Snider |first=John C. |url=http://www.scifidimensions.com/May00/books_ayn_rand.htm |access-date=2007-12-04}} </ref> 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 Swann]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spectrumliteraryagency.com/swann.htm|title=S. Andrew Swann|access-date=2008-04-02|publisher=Spectrum Literary Agency|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905184510/http://www.spectrumliteraryagency.com/swann.htm|archive-date=2008-09-05}}</ref> and [[Michael Z. Williamson]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sfreviews.net/freehold.html |title= Freehold / Michael Z. Williamson |access-date=2008-04-02 |last=Wagner |first=T. M. |date=2004 |publisher= sfreviews.net}}</ref> An award for libertarian science fiction, the [[Prometheus Award]], is given out every year. 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 == * [[Ayn Rand]], ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'' * [[L. Neil Smith]], ''[[The Probability Broach]]'' * [[Kenneth W. Royce]], ''[[Molon Labe! (book)|Molon Labe!]]'' * [[Victor Koman]], ''[[Kings of the High Frontier]]'' * [[Robert A. Heinlein]], ''[[The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress]]''{{ref|Alpha|note}} * [[J. Neil Schulman]], ''[[Alongside Night]]'' * [[Iurii Vovchenko]], ''[[World War 3 and 1/3rd]]'' <ref>{{"World War 3 and 1/3rd" | url="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0927ZPQ1K" |title="World War 3 and 1/3rd" }}</ref> ==See also== {{Portal|Libertarianism|Science fiction}} * [[Anarcho-capitalist literature]] ==Notes== <small>:{{note|Alpha|note}}In [[The Moon is a Harsh Mistress|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|There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch!]]".</small> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.nolanchart.com/article4700.html "Essential Science Fiction and Fantasy for Libertarians" by Dan Clore] * [http://www.davidbrin.com/libertarian1.html Speech by author David Brin to 2002 Libertarian Party National Convention (U.S.)] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20041207205024/http://www.ncc-1776.com/tle1996/le960509.html Speech by author L. Neil Smith at the Colorado Libertarian Party Annual Convention] * [http://www.lfs.org/ The Libertarian Futurist Society Website] * [http://www.catb.org/~esr/writings/sf-history.html Eric S. Raymond describes libertarian ideology in science fiction] * [http://io9.com/5254742/10-greatest-libertarian-science-fiction-stories 10 Greatest Libertarian Science Fiction Stories], by Alasdair Wilkins for [[io9]] * {{cite journal|last=Riggenbach|first=Jeff|title=Libertarianism and Science Fiction: What's the Connection? |journal=Mises Daily |publisher=[[Ludwig von Mises Institute]] |date=February 11, 2011|url=https://mises.org/daily/5018/Libertarianism-and-Science-Fiction-Whats-the-Connection}} * {{cite journal|last=Riggenbach|first=Jeff|title=Some Further Notes on Libertarian Science Fiction |journal=Mises Daily |publisher=[[Ludwig von Mises Institute]] |date=March 11, 2011|url=https://mises.org/daily/5089/Some-Further-Notes-on-Libertarian-Science-Fiction}} {{Science fiction}} [[Category:Libertarian science fiction| ]] [[Category:Science fiction genres]]'