We secured a copy of the 1964 political science thesis Jerry wrote at the University of Washington while working for Boeing.

THE AMERICAN POLITICAL CONTINUUM:

AN EXAMINATION OF THE VALIDITY OF THE LEFT-RIGHT MODEL

AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR STUDYING CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN POLITICAL “ISMS” .

It appears to have resonance in understanding the most recent alignment of American politics and which may have helped build the  CoDominium worlds in The Mercenary, Spaceship for a King and even The Mote in God’s Eye.

What are your thoughts on Wokeists, Leftists, Libertarians or even extreme views of the Conservative movements?

Do the concepts have a place in your science fiction? Perhaps in your own politics or family?

 

5 Replies to “Left or Right Aligned? The Political Science Thesis That Created Worlds”

  1. If still available, please send me a copy. Back in 1994, when I first went back to college (History at ASU) I found you Dad’s thesis on microfilm and tediously printed in up, for better than $30. I had, like many of Jerry’s fans, first read about the political axis back in his column, circa 1983, so when I got a chance to read the whole thing, I jumped. I always meant to get your Dad to autograph it, but I stopped going to conventions after Westercolt (con) 45, and then I lost my paper copy in a cross country move. Jerry Pournelle was actually the first SF author I encountered in person, at an earlier Westercon (1981), in the elevator of the Phoenix Adams.

  2. I knew Jerry — used to have his phone number, which I never shared — and was the person who secured his invitation to the conference in Moscow in 1990 (1991?). I just discovered my copy of A Step Farther Out, which he gave me with an inscription. Would like very much to have a copy of this thesis.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *