Star Trek as a laboratory for international relations

Science fiction as a teaching method in global governance

Dados Bibliográficos

ID22112014
AutoresBusra Yilmaz (0000-0003-2047-8581, University of Geneva), Büşra Yılmaz (0009-0003-8050-8073, University of Geneva), Branislav Radeljić (0000-0002-0497-3470, Universidad Nebrija, autor correspondente)
Ano2025
Volume11
Fascículo1
Data de publicação2025-12-31
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoCogent Social Sciences (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2331-1886 • E-ISSN: 2331-1886
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/23311886.2025.2533288
OpenAlexW4412588826
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas70

Star Trek (ST), one of the longest-running science fiction series in television history, offers numerous opportunities for academic analysis. This article contributes to the literature by examining some of the most representative ST episodes to explore their treatment of International Relations and, more specifically, their potential to help students understand global governance. As we demonstrate, the United Federation of Planets’ approach to diplomacy closely mirrors power politics; this is evident in the Federation’s prominent role in global governance within the multipolarity of the ST universe. In this context, power politics serves to shed light on the Federation’s relations with non-members or potential members, while global governance is supposed to inform us of the Federation’s diplomatic efforts with external actors. Accordingly, ST can serve as a comprehensive teaching method to foster critical thinking, rather than simply imparting pre-determined knowledge. Within this framework, which involves discussion and simulation, ‘smart power’ emerges as a key policy instrument, enabling the Federation to both achieve and maintain a dominant position in the multipolar system

Astrophysics · Corporate governance · Economics · International relations · Management · Media studies · Physics · Political science · Politics · Social science · Sociology · Star trek · Film in Education and Therapy · Innovative Teaching Methodologies in Social Sciences · Law