Would the Borg, as portrayed in Star Trek: First Contact, represent a political society formed by the Social Contract, according to Rousseau? Why/why
Social Contract illuminates the creation of society and its legitimacy. Either freedom may be submitted wholly or substantially depending on the authority. The scenario of Borg represents a society designed based on Social Contract. Borg accounts for a political society. The detachment from the society by Borg indicates the unending connection with the society.
Notably, the society dictates what is to be done and what to be avoided. Rousseau arguments are based on the need to contact a reconciliatory approach to gain freedom from the state. Star Trek introduction of Borg indicates the forces and authority imposed since the Borg commands its victims to surrender and follow their way. The superiority complex takes center stage as it determines what the minor or the weak has to do. According to Social Contract, as indicated by Rousseau, each is guided by the supreme direction determined by the corporate capacity (Frakes, Roddenberry & Berman, 1996). Individuals are the subset of a whole society. TSC is a normative account since “man is born free but is in chain everywhere.” Further, Borg represents the political society as indicated by actions carried out. Borg survivors took action over the Enterprise and revived the ship. Their plan was to conquer and occupy the earth. The attempt by Borg to prevent the First Contract by destroying the sphere represents the long chains attached to free people. This reinforces Rousseau’s arguments on the state of freedom and gaining alternative survival tactics (Rousseau, 1968). It represents the conflict between the natural freedom and the civil freedom.
Conclusively, Rousseau highlights the need to gain individual freedom. Democracy is ideal for creating a freed and liberal society. Therefore, Individuals are committed to doing well to others.
References
Frakes, J., Roddenberry, G., & Berman, R. (1996). Star Trek: First Contact (1996) - IMDb [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.co m/title/tt0117731/
Rousseau, J.J. (1968). The social contract. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books.