In the United States of America, there are several ways to become a citizen; the simplest method is being born in this country. Americans can participate in electing our government officials if they wish and enjoy all the rights we are guaranteed. In the film Starship Troopers, based upon the science fiction novel by Robert Henilein, citizenship must be earned. By examining the movie and evaluating citizenship from the American and Terran Federation perspectives, finding the contrasting meaning of citizenship from each government was both thought-provoking and enlightening.
In the film, Starship Troopers, the setting is Earth, in the future, in an area known as Buenos Areas. The major characters are four young adults, Johnny Ricco, Dizzy Flores, Carmen Ibanez, and Carl Jenkins (Verhoeven, “Starship Troopers”). The storyline follows these individuals through their journey of obtaining citizenship by signing up for service through the government, known as the Terra Federation. Johnny and Dizzy are assigned to the infantry. Carmen becomes a pilot and Carl is assigned to intelligence. Once this group of friends disperse to enter their training, the prime focus revolves around alien bugs of unusually large sizes. The bugs objective is to colonize all planets, including earth (Verhoeven, “Starship Troopers”).
The storyline primarily concentrates on Johnny Ricco, who comes from a wealthy family who is against his decision to join the Federation. His chief reason for signing up is to impress Carmen. His father insists he attend Harvard and orders Johnny to leave when he ultimately chooses service.
There is an accidental death during training which Johnny is partially responsible for. After his harsh punishment, Johnny decides to quit the infantry. Before he leaves, there is word that earth has been attacked by bugs, and Buenos Areas is practically decimated. Johnny decides he needs to stay to fight the bugs that destroyed his home town, helping human civilization prevail. (Verhoeven, “Starship Troopers”). The bugs outsmart the humans several times, destroying many the infantry, wounding Johnny severely. Once he regains his strength and proves he’s an exceptional member of the infantry, Johnny is promoted to a higher rank. The humans wise up and come up with new strategies to take the bugs out, partaking in air attacks to lighten the bug load on the ground.
Eventually, Johnny finds the main bug called the brain bug. He had help from two pilots who crashed into a mountain, one of which being Carmen. The brain bug, along with its army of protector bugs resides deep inside a cavern in the mountains on a bug colonized planet. The enormous bug resembles brain, hence, brain bug. Its pinkish grey hue, slug like movements and googly eyes should not deceive you; there is a large tentacle that emerges from the bug that stabs humans in the head to suck out their brains (Verhoeven, “Starship Troopers”). Johnny, Carmen, and a few other infantry members escape the brain bug and its bug army, destroying the ones that did not flee deeper into the caves. Once they all exit the caves, they discover another platoon captured the giant brain bug, which ends up aiding in the human battles to learn how to take the bugs out more successfully.
Having American citizenship is something that many Americans do not think about, as merely being born in America gives you citizenship. Individuals can also apply if they come from another country; however, this process can be rigorous and time consuming (“10 Steps to Naturalization”). As discussed by Brown and Maloyed, Americas system is closely related to the imperial Roman model, where citizens are guaranteed equal rights under the law; but how they partake is up to them (41). Americans are not forced to vote; it is their right to choose to participate. Individuals who elect to take part in voting are allowing themselves to have a voice in who represents them through the government. Being a citizen in America means those individuals are granted certain freedoms that are defined in the Constitution, which is the law of the land (Morone and Rogan, 2018).
The obligations are to follow the laws set up by the government. America has these rights and freedoms because of the Founding Fathers, who are responsible for obtaining them over 200 years ago (Morone and Rogan, 2018). Being a citizen in that era was different from what we see today. The Founding Fathers had to fight for the freedoms they desired. Breaking free from King George III required sacrifice, courage, and unity from the individuals who were part of the colonies (Morone and Rogan, 2018). The representatives of the colonies rejected following the Supreme Judge of the world, declaring their independence and freedom from the British Crown (Morone and Rogan, 2018). John Locke was also opposed of the Supreme Judge model, stating absolute monarchy is inconsistent with civil society, therefore, it can in no way be a civil society (Locke, 1690). Looking back at what the Founding Fathers went through obtaining the freedoms they coveted, the freedoms that Americans are granted today, makes American citizenship something everyone should be proud of.
In the film, Starship Troopers, citizenship is something that everyone must earn. This is achieved through serving in the government in an array of fields; the most prominent way is joining their military (Verhoeven, “Starship Troopers”). Completing service (minimum of two years) will guarantee those individuals with citizenship. Then and only then can you run for a political office, vote, apply for a license to have a child and receive financial aid to obtain a higher education (Verhoeven, “Starship Troopers”). Civilians are unable to participate in these opportunities, and they are looked down upon by citizens. Johnny Ricco implies that civilians lack courage when giving a eulogy to one of his fallen soldiers (Verhoeven, “Starship Troopers”). The Terra Federation is governed democratically. According to Brown and Maloyed, military regimes historically fall under the authoritarian model., making the Terra Federation a unique organization. The act of becoming a citizen is highly encouraged in this society, therefore, there is a high enrolment rate. Some obligations come with gaining citizenship. Citizens can be called back to serve in times of war, to protect civilians and the wellbeing of the planet. (Verhoeven, “Starship Troopers”).
When observing these two models of obtaining citizenship, there are many areas of similarities and differences. After looking at the design of the Terran Federation, it is quite comparable to the American military. Both services have a variety of areas for individuals to sign up for participation. There are terms for time served, and both services aid in furthering their members education. Members of the Terran Federation are proud to serve, much like the American military; however, America citizenship does not have to be earned by signing up for the military. Americans are free to have a baby at any time they choose, they do not need to obtain a license. They can vote when they are of age and run for political offices. Another jarring difference is the crime rate between the two models. In the Terra Federation, crime is extremely low, almost nonexistent. This is attributed to the number of individuals who sign up for service, creating a strong military rule (Brown and Maloyed). In 2017, the crime rate in America was an estimated 1,247,321(“FBI Releases”). This figure was just for the violent crimes in that year; it did not include things such as larceny or property crimes. Recognizing the similarities and differences in these models illustrates the freedoms granted with American citizenship versus earning them in the Terra Federation.
When it comes to civic virtue, both the Terra Federation and Americans emit civic virtue. America has a wide variety of service members. From military, to police and firefighters, as well as paramedics, doctors and average civilians, these individuals are willing to risk their safety and lives for others. The Terra federation looks at civic virtue from a different lens. It exists, but it is only recognized in citizens, not civilians. Citizens in the Terra Federation have the courage, strength, and willpower to uphold civic virtue; they look at it as their personal responsibility (Verhoeven, “Starship Troopers”).
Obtaining citizenship differs greatly between America and the Terra Federation, as does being a citizen. Having to earn your rights makes them more valuable to the individual, but it seems to come at a high cost. The way civilians are viewed in the Terra Federation makes them look like a lower class of individuals, not good enough to participate with the citizens. While service is a choice, it almost seems forced to have a more fulfilling life. In America, where the rights are granted primarily by birth, there is also a choice to join the military, but it does not feel forced. Americans primarily respect and admire their troops, and vice versa. There is not a huge divide between them. All Americans are granted citizenship, regardless of choosing to serve. Through this choice we still see non-service members willing to help others in need.
