“…Kurgans seem to be more of the Baltic/Black Sea area…”
The reference to “Kargad” was mildly facetious. The name “Kurgan” seemed vaguely familiar. Then I realized it resembled the name “Kargad.” Kargad is a fictional expansionist empire in “The Wizard of Earthsea,” the first novel in Ursula LeGuin’s Earthsea trilogy. The story begins when The Kargad Empire invades the Island of Gont, a peaceful society.
It is another example of mythology (roughly) resembling reality. It makes one wonder if LeGuin borrowed a page from history when she wrote those stories.
I did read most of the Wikipedia article that you cited.
You have identified inequality as a condition that causes instability. I presume that instability then leads to the rise of dominance hierarchies and patriarchy. So, what conditions or circumstances create inequality in the first place?
“Instead of looking at it as feminist…”
I can look at it differently, but that doesn’t change what it is. If you advocate transforming the relationship between men and women to the benefit of women, that is feminism.
“Unless we get to a Star Trek kind of civilization.”
Life aboard a starship might be a feminist Nirvanah. Or is it? Do we know whether Kathryn Janeway earns 79¢ for every dollar of James Kirk’s salary? How does Leonard McCoy’s salary compare to that of Beverly Crusher?
In the original Star Trek, Earth’s planetary unity exists within the context of other planetary civilizations, some of which are enemies of the human race. Rival states often unite in the face of a common enemy. The Haudenosaunee Confederation is one example.
In the Star Trek World, replicators could make food out of thin air for free; everybody eats. Wouldn’t that be great!
The Star Trek world was Roddenberry’s fantasy world. It is no more real than The Kargad Islands. It’s a captivating set of stories, but that’s all it is.
In creating his Utopia, Roddenberry was in complete control. He did not have to contend with extraneous conditions and circumstances beyond his control that might have thwarted its development. The story includes little if any, information about how society developed to the state in which it is portrayed. There is no detailed description of planetary life. The conditions depicted may have been confined to starship life.
I read the Wikipedia article you linked. Nevertheless, I appreciate your effort to supply those details. Sorry, I assumed you were aware of the Earthsea stories — my bad.
