The Bunker – News without the nonsense Space-suit vs Jackboot – Can science fiction save us from fascism?
Oct 3, 2025
Joined by Damien Walter, a writer and sci-fi commentator, the discussion dives into how science fiction mirrors the rise of fascism in modern society. They explore the parallels between characters like Donald Trump and sci-fi archetypes, and debate whether classics like *V for Vendetta* serve as warnings or how-to guides. Walter also critiques *Andor* through a Marxist lens, pondering the implications of colonialism and revolutionary tactics within the Star Wars universe. Ultimately, they consider how crafting new narratives can help combat authoritarianism.
41:41
Science Fiction As Our Modern Mythos
- Science fiction acts as the mythos of our era and shapes how we imagine future societies.
- Damien Walter argues these myths help people understand technological and cultural change.
Huxley Over Orwell—For Now
- Walter contrasts Huxley and Orwell, preferring Huxley's vision of desire-shaped control over outright jackboot repression.
- He warns we may be drifting from Huxleyan consumer control toward 1984-style authoritarianism.
Fascism As Backlash Against Futures
- Fascism can arise as a reaction when imagined futures fail to arrive and people long for a mythic past.
- Walter sees fascism as a backlash against unrealised modernist promises of progress.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app 1 chevron_right 2 chevron_right 3 chevron_right 4 chevron_right 5 chevron_right 6 chevron_right 7 chevron_right 8 chevron_right 9 chevron_right 10 chevron_right 11 chevron_right 12 chevron_right 13 chevron_right 14 chevron_right 15 chevron_right 16 chevron_right 17 chevron_right 18 chevron_right 19 chevron_right 20 chevron_right
Intro
00:00 • 2min
Science Fiction as the Mythos of Our Time
02:01 • 2min
Parallels Between Sci‑Fi and Fascism
04:00 • 2min
Is Donald Trump a Science Fiction Figure?
06:10 • 2min
The Handmaid's Tale: Theocratic Dystopia Explained
07:44 • 2min
Enemy Within: 1950s Sci‑Fi to Personal Dystopia
09:31 • 1min
Reactionary Takeover Attempts in Fandoms
10:50 • 3min
Ad break
13:41 • 2min
Can Sci‑Fi Help Redeem Reactionary Followers?
15:12 • 3min
V for Vendetta and Violent Protest Critiqued
18:03 • 2min
Norse Fire and Contemporary Nationalism
20:21 • 2min
Kitsch, Art and the Aesthetics of Fascism
22:40 • 1min
Andor: A Marxist‑Leninist Reading of Star Wars
23:47 • 6min
Revolutionary Ethics in Andor
30:00 • 2min
Is Star Wars Inherently Reactionary?
31:40 • 55sec
Sci‑Fi Warnings Misread by Tech Elites
32:36 • 2min
Judge Dredd, Glamourising Power and American vs British Sci‑Fi
34:33 • 1min
How Stories Help Resist Fascism
35:36 • 2min
The Culture: A Workable Utopia
37:28 • 2min
Outro
39:10 • 1min
#1014
• Mentioned in 27 episodes
Starship Troopers
Robert A. Heinlein
In 'Starship Troopers,' Robert A. Heinlein explores a future society where citizenship and the right to vote are earned through military service.
The story follows Juan 'Johnny' Rico as he joins the Terran Mobile Infantry and undergoes rigorous training and battles against an alien species known as the 'Bugs.
' The novel delves into themes of citizenship, duty, and the philosophy of war, while also critiquing societal values and the implications of militarism.
Through Rico's journey, Heinlein examines the psychological and moral aspects of war, the importance of discipline and sacrifice, and the complex relationships between comrades in a military context.
#53
• Mentioned in 183 episodes
Brave New World
Aldous Huxley
Written in 1931 and published in 1932, 'Brave New World' is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic World State where humans are bred in vitro and predestined into a rigid social hierarchy.
The novel explores themes of technological advancement, social conditioning, and the loss of individuality and freedom.
The story revolves around characters such as Bernard Marx, an Alpha who questions the society, Mustapha Mond, the World Controller, and John, a 'Savage' from a reservation who introduces elements of emotion and individuality into the highly controlled World State.
The novel critiques the optimism of technological progress and its potential to create a society that values stability and happiness over humanity and freedom.
#402
• Mentioned in 53 episodes
Foundation
Isaac Asimov
Foundation is the first book in Isaac Asimov's renowned Foundation series.
It introduces Hari Seldon, a psychohistorian who predicts the imminent collapse of the Galactic Empire and the ensuing dark age.
To mitigate this, Seldon establishes the Foundation, a group of scientists and scholars on the planet Terminus, aimed at preserving human knowledge and laying the groundwork for a new civilization.
The book is a collection of interrelated short stories that follow the early history of the Foundation as it navigates various crises and challenges predicted by Seldon's psychohistory.
#2943
• Mentioned in 12 episodes
V for Vendetta
Bob Patrick
#47
• Mentioned in 185 episodes
Dune
Frank Herbert
Dune, written by Frank Herbert, is set in a feudal interstellar society where noble houses control planetary fiefs.
The story follows Paul Atreides, whose family is tasked with ruling the inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, the sole source of melange, a substance crucial for extending life and enhancing mental abilities.
The novel delves into the intricate politics, religion, ecology, and technology of this futuristic world, as various factions vie for control of Arrakis and its valuable spice.
Paul, with his unique abilities and training by the Bene Gesserit, becomes a key figure in this struggle and eventually assumes the role of a messianic leader among the native Fremen people.
#8458
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Ancillary Justice
Ann Leckie
Ancillary Justice is a science fiction novel set thousands of years in the future in the expansionist Radch empire.
The story follows Breq, who is both the sole survivor of the starship Justice of Toren and the vessel of that ship's artificial consciousness.
Breq seeks revenge against the ruler of her civilization, navigating a complex world where the Radchaai do not distinguish people by gender.
The novel explores themes of identity, humanity, social inequality, and gender, and it is the first in the Imperial Radch trilogy.
#206
• Mentioned in 83 episodes
The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood
The novel is set in a near-future New England in the Republic of Gilead, a patriarchal, totalitarian state that has overthrown the United States government.
Offred, the narrator, is one of the 'Handmaids', women who are forcibly assigned to produce children for the ruling class, known as 'Commanders'.
The story explores themes of powerless women, loss of female agency and individuality, and the suppression of women's reproductive rights.
Offred's life is marked by her restrictive routine, her memories of her past life, and her interactions with the Commander, his wife Serena Joy, and other Handmaids, including her friend Ofglen who is part of an underground resistance movement.
The novel is a scathing satire, an ominous warning, and a tour de force of narrative suspense.
#66
• Mentioned in 167 episodes
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
Written in epistolary form, the novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant and ambitious scientist who, driven by Enlightenment-era ideas of progress and science, creates a living being from dead body parts.
However, upon seeing the creature come to life, Frankenstein is horrified and abandons it.
The creature, shunned by society due to its appearance, seeks revenge against its creator, leading to a series of tragic events.
The novel explores themes of guilt, loss, and the emotional and moral consequences of scientific hubris, blending elements of Gothic and Romantic literature.
#1
• Mentioned in 1,222 episodes
1984
George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism.
The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother.
Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative.
He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination.
The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
From Margaret Atwood to Alan Moore, from 1984 to Andor, science fiction has gamed out totalitarian futures better than most political analysts. But does it have the answers to stopping the rise of fascism? Writer, critic and host of a fascinating online science fiction community Damien Walter discusses the lessons of future oligarchs, space tyrants and cosmic populism with Andrew Harrison. Which sci-fi dictator does Donald Trump most resemble? Are V For Vendetta and Judge Dredd warnings or instruction manuals? And if Andor is Marxist-Leninist, is the Star Wars story of restoring a genetic elite of magic knights actually fascist?
• Watch Damien’s brilliant explorations of science fiction on YouTube and hear his Science Fiction podcast.
• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more.
• Head to nakedwines.co.uk/thebunker to get 6 top-rated wines from our sponsor Naked Wines for £39.99, delivery included.
• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to indeed.com/bunker to get your £100 sponsored credit.
• Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more
Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Produced by Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Art by Jim Parrett. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices