Gramsci
Well-Known Member
I suspect we'd disagree as to whether anti-tech stuff is a marker of right wing politics, but that's by they by. For me, I've always thought that even ostensibly left wing SF/fantasy has a problem with the collective. In fantasy, the hero/heroine opposes tyrannical rule, but usually in the name of the true heir to the throne. No opposition to the notion of proper authority. In parallel, the SF hero/heroine discovers what is 'going on', pretty much the conspiracy theorist who discovers a real conspiracy. Their version of putting the world to rights is the Scooby Gang, nothing really engaging with social forces. In fact 'the masses' may play a role in the denouement, but the first have to be 'roused' by member of said Scooby Gang, not a social process.
Worst example I can recall of someone who claims anarchist credentials, whilst building a career out of the 'heroic' is Michael Moorcock. Outside of his gods, goddesses and heroes, the odd 'civilian' might have a walk on part, but for the remaining 99% of the story the masses are unenlightened and off stage. He's had to address this in interviews, but never come up with a satisfactory defence afaics. Of course he's not really an anarchist, nor even a liberal anarchist. Those problems in his writing mean he's actually a liberal full stop.
One of the themes in Ursula LeGuins "The Dispossessed" is the relationship of the individual and the collective. It's an old book but still worth reading. I wouldn't call this novel either a dystopia or utopia. She is looking at how a communist society would work in practice. The problems it would have to overcome.