A lot is made of the utopian vision the Federation has portrayed over the course of Star Trek. Repeatedly now we see people say "that's not Gene's vision" every time Star Trek goes dark or looks less than utopian. However, it was brought to my mind recently that, even in TOS first season there are instances that state or imply that the Federation and/or Starfleet is not quite the utopia people think it is.
Here's the example that was given in the Mission Log podcast I was listening to. In "Space Seed" Kirk says about Khan at one point; "Captain's Log. Stardate 3143.3. Control of the Enterprise has been regained. I wish my next decisions were no more difficult. Khan and his people. What a waste to put them in a reorientation centre. And what do I do about McGivers?"
Now, here's the thing. Apparently there are "reorientation centers" in the Federation. Is this a gulag? Is it just a prison? Is it a place where criminals are brainwashed to be reoriented? Are these like the re-education camps that are popular in Communist nations both in the past and even today?
The "text" of
Star Trek says the UFP is an egalitarian, benevolent government to citizen and non-citizen alike. This is stated by the characters, and backed up by numerous examples in the show.
It does not make sense for the Federation's penal system or "reorientation centers" to be anything like Soviet-style gulags, or reeducation camps in China. That would make
Star Trek a parody of a utopia, like the Terran Federation in the film
Starship Troopers.
The UFP and Starfleet are "the good guys."
(Examples to the contrary come up; but as
Arpy said, these are created by the writers to make interesting conflicts for stories.)
Why would it be a waste to put Khan in such a facility? Would it do something to him?
Kirk professes admiration for Khan during "Space Seed," though his ethos is incompatible with Federation society. This is like how people today may romanticize historical figures such as Julius Caesar or Genghis Khan, whose actions don't jibe with 21st century attitudes.
I interpret Kirk's comment as a lament that a capable and driven "great man" like Khan would be predisposed to "use his powers for evil," and consequently have to do time at Federation empathy camp. The supermen would be unable to contribute their "good qualities" to society, and may end up with the "incurables" we see at places like Tantalus V or Elba II if they can't adapt to 23rd century mores.
"
We can be against him and admire him all at the same time." - James T. Kirk, referring to Khan in "Space Seed."
