To what extent do your political views inform your writing?

[unmerged(10426)]

I was just pondering this.

With me, my political views take a back seat, and I focus solely on making my writing interesting, without any kind of guiding moral theme. I try and keep everything flexible, and not pin myself down to some kind of outcome or objective. I think this helps keep my writing as realistic as possible and my lack of emotional involvement keeps the whole thing well tethered.

 

[The Yogi]

My political sympathies play no part whatsoever in my AARs. While I'd label myself Humanist-Conservative (kind of like Schwarzenegger, if a US example has to be quoted) my protagonists are Nazis, Anarchists, Monarchists, Imperialists or criminals.

 

[CatKnight]

I don't see my politics entering into it except perhaps my general disregard for politicians in general. My sense of morality sometimes wanders in, but rarely.

 

[coz1]

My politics really never enters into the picture when either writing or even reading AARs. I've never found reason for them to.

 

[Prufrock451]

My political views definitely make (made?) it into my AARs. Consider the brief examination of armed anarchism in "AAR!", or the even briefer examination of progressive Islam in "The Mother of Cities".

There are elements of myself in Sir Ian Miffling-Hodgkins' paternalist classical liberalism, the post-idealist cynicism of Pierre Laval, the cheerful manipulativeness of Franklin Roosevelt, and the apolitical professionalism of Jean Gaspard.

And, of course, all of my AARs share this post's insufferable over-self-analysis.

 

[Rensslaer]

I think my worldview, which is fairly well developed and to which I hold to stubbornly, must invest the writing of my AAR. It's just not something I can keep out of it.

First off, I must say that I reject the traditional impression of the terms "conservative" and "liberal" as too open to interpretation. Many of the most forward looking people of the 19th century (about whom I write) were considered "liberals" though their politics would certainly be considered conservative today. At the same time, the "conservatives" of the time -- like kings and nobles, mostly -- often held to beliefs about how the world should be run that I'd very closely associate with liberal politics today!

Secondly, I enjoy slaying myths. That explains my scene where an American general talks of supporting the Republican candidate for President because he doesn't think blacks should be treated like subhumans.

And like Prufrock's stereotype-shattering "progressive Islam", my AAR is largely about a "progressive Prussian" who respects and supports democracy and Jews.

That's one of the ironic things... The character who is most prominent in my story at present is widely considered a "big-spending progressive liberal" -- something which my personal beliefs find abhorrent!

I also try to portray Christians in a positive light -- something which runs against the general grain of culture today.

I will admit to an agenda, of sorts, but it is so subsumed under the general storyline that I don't believe it interferes too much.

Rensslaer

 

[VILenin]

My own views, which have been "affectionately" described as being to the left of my namesake (no, I'm not that bad really), don't find their way into my AAR. I think it's fun, actually, to be able to adopt something that's the opposite of where I am, like an ultra-conservtive monarchy, and act that out.

And The Yogi, not Schwarzenager! Please, don't use him as a comparison for yourself. He described Nixon as "a breath of fresh air." Nixon!

 

[rule_brittania]

I generally try and keep to the left; no reactionaries, and if possible conservatives if i can help it; communists and socialists even better than liberals.

 

[Director]

I've tried to get inside the head of my characters and see the world from their point of view. For example, my 'Empire of Romania' is edging toward more innovation, less serfdom and more freedom generally. I've explained that by saying that the current Emperor realizes he is not the choice of the nobles, so he's essentially written them off and is catering to the emerging middle class for political support.

Unless you have a clear reason (Prufrock's transplanted Victorian, running amok amidst the Mongols or my Doctor Charles Rivers in 'As the Spirit Moves Me') I think you should not impute modern motives and modern thinking to people of earlier times. This is less a danger in HoI and Victoria than it is in EU2 or CK, of course.

Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, intrigue and realpolitik are of course always in fashion.

 

[unmerged(33619)]

I'm a moderate at best. But my tales span Monarchy, Communism, Empires, Democracy, even that Fascist phase we all go through. I don't think many are influenced by their personal politics. If they were the GOP and liberal would pop up a whole lot more.

 

[cthulhu]

And The Yogi, not Schwarzenager! Please, don't use him as a comparison for yourself. He described Nixon as "a breath of fresh air." Nixon!

I know this will disappoint (chock?) you VILenin, but IMO Mr. Richard M Nixon was a great President. To compare Schwarzenegger with him is practically sacrilege.

But I digress. Yes I definitely let both my moral convictions and political views affect the content of my AAR. But I hope I do this in a very subtle manner. Then again, in Lovecraft’s universe, everyone is doomed, regardless of their outlook on life…

 

[Phoenix Dace]

I try not to, but I suppose it's possible my views (Extreme left-wing social-utopian-anarchist) influence my writing. However, I do my best to remain objective, and will say whatever fits the story. Although I'm not denying I detest a lot of politicians, I'm not above writing about them in an objective way. Although I may hate Hitler, I'll still write him in the story as I would anybody else, I hope.

 

[Rensslaer]

I know this will disappoint (chock?) you VILenin, but IMO Mr. Richard M Nixon was a great President.

I think Nixon was good in many ways. I might almost like him if it weren't for Watergate and the fact that he was such a hopeless liberal.

Rensslaer

 

[cthulhu]

...if it weren't for Watergate and the fact that he was such a hopeless liberal.

:rofl:

NIXON - Yes, you always had a good sense of timing, Henry. When to give and when to take. How do you think Mao, Brezhnev will react? (sitting up, suddenly intense) Do you think this is how they'll remember me, Henry, after all the great things you and I did together? As some kind of ... of ... crooks?

KISSINGER - (prepared response) They will understand, sir. To be undone by a third-rate burglary is a fate of biblical proportions. History will treat you far more kindly than your contemporaries.

 

[VILenin]

Well that last quote almost makes me feel sorry for Nixon. Almost.

EDIT: I apologize for hijacking this thread. Discussion on Nixon will end... now.

 

[unmerged(44784)]

My conservative views certainly make it into my AARs is some form. I always end up invading the Soviet Union....

 

[stnylan]

It's not my political views that influence my writing, but as Rensslaer seems to say my worldview is (I think) very much present. Of course, political views are part of a worldview, but are in themselves very limiting things. Saying that I would not say I have an 'agenda' - like most people I suspect my worldview is not so rational and well-thought out as to allow something so clinical.

Indeed, I think the word in the title of this thread is very accurate: my AARs are naturally informed by my world-view, but to find that you have to me and my experiences under the characters and settings in which I write.

 

[Mettermrck]

I tend towards views I don't necessarily share in my writing. In my ways, my written work is a product of fantasy and imagination, allowing me chances to express views very much opposed to how I truly feel.

 

[Sir Humphrey]

I gave up on believing in politics a little while back. I try and weave beleiveable political views into the men of the political machine, and hence, they might do what they believe, and not what I beleive.

 

[Alhazen]

I try to take on the views of whatever hero or villian I am portraying in the scene, and look on them from their perspective, based on their own upbringing, culture, motives, religion or lack of, etc. For me writing has more of a role-play element than it may for others, probably stemming from my RPG Gamemaster background, which was my earliest writing experiences.

Whilst in real life I am a socially progressive-conservative Republican...Imperialist.