Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:09:59-4:10:28

Science-fiction fleets reflect historical naval cultures

Star Trek and Andromeda invite different comparisons with American and British naval culture.

Systems Commonwealth (Andromeda)Naval CultureRoyal NavyScience FictionStar TrekUS Navy
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Question

Is Star Trek the Royal Navy in space?

Short answer

The preferred comparison is an idealised US Navy, with Andromeda's Commonwealth closer to the Royal Navy in its behaviour.

Notes

Science fiction can reveal the assumptions of the period in which it is written. When an audience member suggests that Star Trek is the Royal Navy in space, the preferred comparison is instead an idealised United States Navy. Andromeda's Commonwealth is offered as the closer Royal Navy parallel because of the way it behaves. These are interpretations of institutional character.