Geopolits and science fiction

Geopolitics and Science fiction Geopolitics and Science fiction Manifest destiny was a belief in the 19th century by the Americans that the United State was destined to expand its territories. It was the driving force that led to the escalated expansion of America into the West. The idea received media attention to large extents. Its effects are attested by the legislations such as the Homestead Act. This legislation encouraged America to acquire and colonize territories in the West. It also played a palpable role in American thought over expanding its territories to the West. However, the Manifest Destiny in itself was never an official government policy. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the concept of Manifest Destiny was rather a mere component, which only captured popular imagination of young Americans. Over the recent year, the concept has been revived among the American population (Ekeh 2004, p. 67-69). Even so, it has taken a new dimension in movies. In this regard, a variety of science fiction movies are attributable to the creation of a new wave of Manifest Destiny especially in the Young Americans.
Star Trek for instance, is an American science fiction movie producer. In 2009, they produced a movie which revolved around James Kirk, Starship Kelvin and their expedition. This occurs in the future; in 2233 where the USS Kelvin ship investigating a lightning storm in the space was attacked by the Navada and a Romulan ship that emerges from the storm. On Vulcan, Spock (who is believed to be half-human), joins Starfleet Academy. Meanwhile, on Earth, Kirk becomes reckless and intelligent and is recommended to join Starfleet.
While in the academy, the Cadets are mobilized to crew ships waiting in the orbit. Their ship known as the Enterprise arrives at Vulcan and is attacked by Navada which led to their surrender. Consequently, a large damage as well as mass killings of its inhabitants occurred. Spock manages to rescue his father and the high council of Vulcan. However, his mother does not survive the attack. Later on, Kirk, in conjunction with Sarek and Spoc plot a secret attack on Navada. They successfully attack and crash down the crew on Navada thus conquering them. Back on earth, both Kirk and Captain Pike were promoted to higher ranks. Spock Prime selected a planet for the surviving Vulcans to Colonize.
It is therefore palpable that the events in this movie could inculcate some sense of the Manifest Dream in most of its viewers. In this regard, ultimate victory by Kirk, Sarek and Spoc could be interpreted to depict the superiority that America has towards other nations and States (Dodds 2002 p. 34-36) This way, America is represented as a state that is inexorably ready and able to expand its territory any time with straining her economy. This is also instanced through the ultimate destroying of the Navada and the identification of colony in the surviving Vulcans had to Colonize.
On the other hand, Star War is an epic opera film series released in 1977 in the United States. It captures the life of Anakin Skywalker, a young slave who is believed to be the chosen one to bring balance to the force as heralded by the Jedi prophecy. Planet Naboo is attacked, and this prompts its ruler Queen Padme Amidala to seek the help of Jedi. Eventually, Anakin secretly weds the Queen and impregnates her. She eventually dies while giving birth to twins named Leia and Luke. Meanwhile Vader was on a mission to destroy the Death star which was to empower the Empire to crush the Rebel alliance. At the end, Anakin Skywalker dies in presence of his son Luke. This makes Luke a full-fledged Jedi. The Rebels eventually destroys the second death star which consequently destroys the Empire.
The several themes in the movie could also stimulate the Manifest Destiny among young American viewers. With the help of his father, Luke eventually becomes the new Jedi. This could be interpreted as the victory of America in its endeavors to acquire territories and colonial dominance the West (Heglund 2012 p. 45). This feeling therefore perpetuates the sense of and belief of promoting and defending democracy throughout the world.
In conclusion, it is therefore apparent that various science fiction movies like Star Trek and Star War tend to awake the 19th century concept of Manifest Dream in the United States. The victorious endings in most of these movies could be interpreted to imply U. S. superiority over other nations. This heightens the feeling that the United States could successfully acquire and colonize more and more territories. This was the ground upon which Manifest destiny was based.
Bibliography
Dodds Klaus. 2007. Geopolitics: A Very Short Introduction. London: OUP Oxford.
Ekeh Ono. 2004. Table of the Lord: A Novel about Aliens, Geo-politics & the Catholic Church. New York: Publishing America.
Heglund Jon. 2012. World Views: Metageographies of Modernist Fiction. London: Oxford University Press.