[Wonder Warthog]

"He fed socialist communitarian philosophy to several generations of young readers."

Balderdash. His change to libertarianism came long before his novels became popular (I think somewhat after he married Virginia). In that, he was much like Reagan, whose philsophy underwent a change after marrying Nancy). His novels have ALL fostered individual freedom and liberty---not "communitarianims".

The only novel I can think of that even comes remotely close to a sort of "communitarian" point of view is "Starship Troopers", in which the right to vote is restricted to those citizens who have voluntarily served a term of "government service".

[truthandjustice1]

""Starship Troopers", in which the right to vote is restricted to those citizens who have voluntarily served a term of "government service"."

that which is given has no value.

[patton]

But the right to vote should be restricted to veterens.

[E Rocc]

"He fed socialist communitarian philosophy to several generations of young readers."

Balderdash. His change to libertarianism came long before his novels became popular (I think somewhat after he married Virginia). In that, he was much like Reagan, whose philsophy underwent a change after marrying Nancy). His novels have ALL fostered individual freedom and liberty---not "communitarianims".

The comparison to Reagan is a good one. Heinlein preceded Reagan and Goldwater in promoting a libertarian form of conservatism that rejected compulsory "traditional morality" in favor of personal liberty and personal responsibility. To call this "communitarian" is completely absurd, when indeed it is cultural conservatism that is a form of communitarianism. Indeed, literate cultural conservatives hate Heinlein for the same reason their less educated brethren disdain Reagan, they separated their pet causes from the basic philosophies of the Right, and indeed many of us not only do not embrace them, we oppose them.

The only novel I can think of that even comes remotely close to a sort of "communitarian" point of view is "Starship Troopers", in which the right to vote is restricted to those citizens who have voluntarily served a term of "government service".

Not even there. Service was 100% voluntary and even, to a degree, discouraged. Heinlein once said that a nation which needs conscription to defend itself does not deserve to be defended.

Growing up, he was my main conservative influence (along with Goldwater) as well as my main agnostic influence.

-Eric

[narses]

Beyond This Horizon was a fascinating look at genetic manipulation, cloning, and economic centralized control. Other novels implied other views. In his own life he was a libertine and a socialist at various times.