Zinātniskā fantastika kā ideoloģiskais ierocis

Abstract

Since one of the main characteristics of the science fiction genre is the modelling of future societies, often from the safe distance perspective drawing quite visible parallels with those of the present world, the discussion about political and social topics has been an integral part of the genre since the beginnings. Moreover, since science fiction, especially regarding the subgenre of utopia, allegorically projects a particular ideology in an imaginary world, certain propaganda was also frequent compound in the genre works. These factors were largely responsible for the fact that some political regimes, especially those of the 20th century, made direct and indirect use of science fiction as a powerful tool of ideological propaganda that helped to turn the thinking of readers, especially young people, in the direction favoured by the regime. Still, it must also be remembered that the presence of political ideas in the science fiction works as well as interpretation of these works has always been quite a complicated matter, and science fiction authors frequently found ways to circumnavigate the limitations set by censorship and include messages unflattering to the regime in their works. The paper provides an insight into the aspects of relationship between science fiction and ideology in contemporary literary theory, turns a particular attention to the practical aspects of these relationships as they formed during the 20th century in the literary space of Soviet regime – discussing original works as well as translations and literary criticism; finally, the paper outlines some topical ideological directions visible in modern science fiction works.