The Opposition and Unity of Individualism and Collectivism in SF

The mode of governance in Clarke’s novel The City and the Stars

Abstract

This paper focuses on the opposition and unity of two ideologies, individualism and collectivism, in Arthur C. Clarke’s science fiction novel The City and the Stars. Written in late 1900s, this work was largely influenced by the global political environment of the time, especially the backdrop of ideological contradictions. In this fictional work, Clarke expresses his vision of a dynamic equilibrium between those two ideologies through several iconic characters. Instead of being an ardent supporter of either ideology, Clarke suggests, through his depiction of different characters representing each ideology, that a blend of the two – continuously evolving – represents the ideal scenario. Specifically, the main representative characters are: Alvin, the protagonist, who symbolizes the individualism, while the high-tech city of Diasper, its ruler the Central Computer, and its residents represent collectivism. By analyzing the impact of those ideologies on characters’ identities and actions, it becomes clear in several key moments that individualism and collectivism each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Initially, the confrontations and conflicts between these two, ideologies – whether direct or indirect, physical or spiritual – are multifaceted. However, as the plots unfolds, the tendency of cooperation and fusion shows its potential. By the end, Alvin’s absolute individualism is partially mitigated, and the collectivist ideals represented by Diaspar are also blurred. Thus, the novel can be interpreted as a work that primarily highlights compensation and cooptation between these two ideologies.