Star Trek, Global Capitalism and Immaterial Labor

Abstract

As one of the most expansive storyworlds in sf, Star Trek appears to offer an imaginary representation of a post-capitalist utopia. But in the context of global capitalism the franchise’s superficial post-capitalism translates all too easily into a neoliberal fantasy of post-industrial labour and hierarchical social relations. Drawing on Hardt and Negri’s theoretical work on empire and globalisation, this essay approaches Star Trek: The Next Generation as an expression of the contradictory cultural logic of global capitalism.