Patrick Stewart's Jean-Luc Picard Embodied an Ideal of Power We Still Need

When Patrick Stewart first stepped onto the bridge of the Enterprise in 1987 as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, the geopolitical landscape was on the cusp of monumental change. The Berlin Wall still stood, and the Soviet Union's dissolution was still years away. Yet, Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) anticipated this shift, presenting a post-Cold War vision of a benevolent and democratic United Federation of Planets.

In TNG's narrative, the Federation represented a dominant, albeit idealized, version of the United States. Unlike the original series, where the Klingon Empire served as a thinly veiled stand-in for the Soviet Union, Picard's Federation was a sole superpower. The show often depicted the Enterprise engaged in humanitarian missions—rescuing populations from environmental disasters or facilitating peace negotiations—more frequently than combat. Picard, at the helm of a powerful vessel, often chose to distribute vaccines over deploying its armaments.

The Institutional Liberalism of Jean-Luc Picard

Stewart's casting as Captain Picard was a deliberate choice, leveraging his gravitas as a preeminent Shakespearean actor to imbue the character with authority and depth. This was particularly evident in episodes like "The Measure of a Man," where Picard argued for the legal rights of the android Data. Picard's defense framed the issue not just as one android's fate, but as the potential creation of an entire class of enslaved beings. His closing argument questioned whether humanity was prepared to condemn Data and future artificial life forms to servitude.

This narrative mirrored an era of ascendant democracy, where institutions like the US government were seen as responsive to reasoned argument and committed to civil rights. The episode concluded with a judge affirming Data's right to choose, reflecting an optimistic view of institutional integrity.

Another TNG episode, "The Drumhead," saw Picard confront an admiral leading a witch hunt based on unfounded suspicions of sabotage. Here, Picard delivered a powerful speech defending universal rights, warning that the suppression of freedoms, even in small measures, ultimately binds everyone. The episode reinforced the show's belief in the potential of institutions to act as forces for good, ending with Starfleet's head of security halting the admiral's inquisition.

Star Trek in a Changing World

Attempts to revive Star Trek in more recent years have often struggled to capture the same optimism, particularly in an era where trust in institutions has eroded. Star Trek: Discovery, which premiered during the Trump administration, featured narratives of collapsed and distrusted Federations. Similarly, Star Trek: Picard, starring Stewart, depicted his character as a disillusioned figure who had resigned from a Federation he felt had abandoned its principles. In the series's first season, Picard denounces the Federation's growing prejudice against artificial life forms, a stark contrast to his earlier defense of Data.

This portrayal resonated with the challenges of the Trump era, marked by controversial policies, the perceived politicization of the Supreme Court, and a global pandemic that exposed governmental shortcomings. The later series also reflected a growing techno-pessimism, with themes of addictive social media and the potential displacement of jobs by artificial intelligence.

Despite these shifts, The Next Generation's portrayal of a utopia, however reliant on military strength and advanced technology, underscored the necessity of powerful, capable institutions. Episodes like "In the Pale Moonlight," where a captain confesses to murder to secure an alliance against a galactic threat, highlight the difficult choices leaders must make. Yet, the overarching message remained that power, even in the hands of hegemons, could be wielded justly, and that principled leaders like Picard were instrumental in building a better future.

The Enduring Relevance of Principled Leadership

Living through periods of political turmoil, such as the Trump presidency, can make it difficult to maintain faith in the possibility of progress. The constant barrage of crises can leave little room for reflection on what has been lost. The optimism embodied by Stewart's Picard can feel like a relic of a bygone era, leading to the question of whether the ideals presented in Star Trek were always a fantasy.

However, the core tenets of Star Trek's vision remain pertinent. As Nobel laureates Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson argue in Why Nations Fail, prosperous and egalitarian societies are built upon inclusive economic institutions, secure property rights, unbiased legal systems, and robust public services. These elements require a strong, centralized government capable of enforcing the rule of law and protecting citizens from exploitation. Such institutions, like Medicare or Social Security in the United States, are essential for societal well-being.

Star Trek's fundamental insight is that powerful institutions, including militaries, are inevitable. The show posits that these institutions can be led by individuals committed to justice and inclusivity. Therefore, fictional role models like Jean-Luc Picard remain valuable, particularly for future leaders who will wield significant power. They offer a model for wielding that power responsibly and ethically.

While the failures of institutions and well-intentioned foreign policies like the Iraq War have led some to dismiss idealistic figures as "white saviors" whose visions are unworkable in reality, the pursuit of just institutions remains the only viable path forward. Acemoglu and Robinson's work suggests that strong governments that empower individuals are the foundation of sustainable prosperity and equality. Teaching future generations to emulate characters like Picard, who champion the just use of power, is crucial for fostering the leaders who can sustain a more utopian society.