A Slave is A Slave

Description

H. Beam Piper is known for the insightful social elements he often adds to his science fiction novels to provide them with an added dimension of philosophical understanding. A Slave is a Slave is definitely no exception to that rule, and it may well involve one of the most well-chosen areas of study that Piper tackles in his books.

The storyline is quite straightforward: the socially and technologically advanced Galactic Empire comes across an important dilemma when faced with a planet where descendants of the Space Vikings keep their people enslaved. Apparently it is simply a matter of guiding the planet’s leaders toward abolishing slavery, and they can become a part of the Galactic Empire. However, things are far from being that simple.

When slavery is the norm, politics become only a matter of secondary importance. Instead, the psychological component of slavery comes to the surface, and it becomes apparent that giving up the ideals and concepts that are at the root of slavery is far more difficult than anticipated.

The story is much more than just your regular sci-fi tale. Although it was written in a time when technological advancement was less advanced than it is today, it still depicts a believable plot that could actually happen in a possible distant future. The philosophical implications of the book, however, are of far greater interest.

Basically, we are faced with the dilemma that shows slavery can’t be abolished in one fell swoop without proper precautions, and if attempted, the results can be disastrous. Without a gradual transition, former slaves may seek to become masters themselves, leading to a vicious circle that could prove difficult, if not impossible to break.


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