The original Star Trek television series, which aired from 1966 to 1969, spawned movies, sequels, and an entire pop culture universe. Along the way, the show and its successors have used their futuristic settings to animate a universe that both reflects and challenges the attitudes of their viewers. In this episode of Big World, SIS professor Patrick Thaddeus Jackson joins us to discuss Star Trek, popular culture, and international relations.

Professor Jackson tells us why Star Trek appeals to him as an international affairs scholar (2:36) and some of the metaphors the original Star Trek contained that related to multilateral agreements or organizations (5:56). He also discusses in what ways he thinks Star Trek, either the original show or its successors, anticipated the movement within international relations known as Global IR (10:57).

Why did a show that tried so hard to show humanity at its best seem to sometimes rely on offensive stereotypes (20:52)? Is there a case to be made that Deep Space Nine was essentially an indictment of American exceptionalism (26:14)? Professor Jackson answers these questions and explains why he thinks this show and this world, originally created by Gene Roddenberry, still resonates with so many people (29:49).

During our “Take Five” segment, Professor Jackson tells us the the five politically relevant Star Trek episodes everyone should watch, and why (14:59).