Are there too many white people in Star Trek?

[Tesophius]

StarTrek leaves this open to imagination, as it should. Otherwise it would alienate people based on their different views or even over the existence/inexistence of specific countries.

 

[BillJ]

Otherwise it would alienate people based on their different views or even over the existence/inexistence of specific countries.

If one can't handle the idea of Oklahoma or Iran existing in the future, they need to go find a box to hide in.

 

[GabyBee]

They both still exist as places. What is left open to interpretation is whether or not they exist as political entities.

 

[Tesophius]

I don't think that anyone would, however there are far more polarizing examples. Such as various disputed territories or some nations without countries. If StarTrek was to get into saying that disputed territory X is ruled by country B, I can see how it would create much discontent among the fans. Or even what the form of local governments is - if it doesn't fit someone's vision of the future that would also alienate people. Or even to suggest that everyone was assimilated into a uniform Earthling nationalities and no one identifies with their ancestral nationalities. Some would welcome it, others wouldn't. Better leave it be.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

What is left open to interpretation is whether or not they exist as political entities.

There's no reason why they shouldn't.

The USA still has states that comprise it, and each of these states exists as its own political entity. Similarly, there are still provinces that make up the Dominion of Canada. And there are hundreds, if not thousands, of other countries that have a similar system. Why would United Earth be any different?

Not only is a nation's cultural identity NOT something that can easily be swept away...it's just more efficient, really. Unitary states are extremely rare, even today. And on a scale as massive as that which comprises the entire Earth? It would be almost impossible.

 

[BillJ]

Seems like someone is governing under the older borders, or else the names would fall out of use.

 

[Tesophius]

Seems like someone is governing under the older borders, or else the names would fall out of use.

Not necessarily, we still refer to regions by older names that don't exist under unified governing bodies. New England, a prime example in the states. Very common all over Europe as well.

 

[GabyBee]

Similar to the Basque Country in Spain and France. By its political definition, it refers to an autonomous region in northern Spain. By its colloquial and cultural definition, it encompasses a larger area that straddles the Spanish-French Pyrenees.

 

[JeffinOakland]

Ever heard of Biafra, Prussia or Etruria?

 

[BillJ]

Not necessarily, we still refer to regions by older names that don't exist under unified governing bodies. New England, a prime example in the states. Very common all over Europe as well.

I would agree if it was used as a one-off. But, Kirk is from Iowa, Picard from France, Sisko from Louisiana, Janeway is from Indiana, Daniels is from Illinois. Seems to me that the US still exists in some form.

 

[GabyBee]

And Silvio Berlusconi is from Rome. That doesn't automatically means he has ever sworn an oath to SPQR.

 

[Tenacity]

Even with the rise of United Earth as the global government, the USA still exists as one of the nation-states that comprise it.

The question (as I see it) is whether or not the United States, and other countries, continue to be sovereign nation/states, or are they merely administrative subdivisions of United Earth.

United Earth could still exist with the nations that make it up remaining completely sovereign. It all has to do with how United Earth in organized, and what (how much) it does.

 

[BillJ]

And Silvio Berlusconi is from Rome. That doesn't automatically means he has ever sworn an oath to SPQR.

You make some wild leaps. I'm just saying those states still exist in some form. We know Oklahoma still exists in some form into the 22nd century.

 

[GabyBee]

There used to be a political entity called Austria-Hungary. Now there are separate entities known as Austria, and Hungary. Just because they share the names with each other doesn't mean that the Habsburg monarchy is still around.

 

[Tenacity]

And Silvio Berlusconi is from Rome. That doesn't automatically means he has ever sworn an oath to SPQR.

But it does make him an Italian citizen.

 

[The Old Mixer]

If the United States ceased to exist as a political entity, I could see that name falling out of favor, while "North America" continued to be used as a larger regional name, and individual state names continued to be used locally.

 

[Tenacity]

What is left open to interpretation is whether or not they exist as political entities.

Are they sovereign political entities?

 

[Bones]

When my French grandmother married (got knocked up by) my Italian grandfather it was a scandal on both counts. 70+ years later and who cares? If they weren't thinking with their glands then I wouldn't be around.
I figure by the 23rd century there is a global blurring of lines, political and racial.

 

[Prax]

Actually, there is.

Even with the rise of United Earth as the global government, the USA still exists as one of the nation-states that comprise it. Just like how the USA still has states, Canada still has provinces, etc. This is just kicking it up a level.

AMERICAAAA!!!! **** YEAH! GONNA SAAAVE The ************ DAY YEAH!!

 

[CorporalClegg]

I think it's safe to say Earth is broken down into some sort of regional or local government system. Even in a would-be non scarce society, there are just way too many logistical issues to not have some kind of standing ruling body.

They've always been kind of wishy-washy about it, but I've always assumed that the "president" office was strictly limited to Federation dealings and that Earth had its own executive (and standing government), whatever the title may be. And it was then again broken down regionally and locally.

And I see them using the Pre-WWIII boarders as a frame of reference.