Isaac Asimovs Foundation - Cycles of History :: Isaac Asimov Foundation

Isaac Asimovs base of operations - Cycles of account statement Foundation is a novel throughout which the cycles of history atomic number 18 present. Isaac Asimovs ridiculous notions on how metamorphose in the environment affects the nature of historical change are present throughout this novel. Asimov uses precepts of Marxism to fabricate his early history. Asimov also creates a future political structure modeled on the Roman Empire. fit to Jean Fielder, one of the greatest influences on Asimovs Foundation novel is Gibbons capitulation and Fall of the Roman Empire. This parallel is most discernible as Foundation depicts the gradual disintegration of a great empire, the concomitant rise in regional trade, and the eventual consolidation of political and economic power in the trading city- (or planet-) states. And, like a history, "Foundation focuses on mass movements rather than on individual actions"(Fiedler 59). In Foundation, the Galactic Empire is the gradually d isintegrating great empire, meet as the Roman Empire is the disintegrating empire in Gibbons work. And, as in Gibbons history, the Foundation builds a trading empire that later unites the planets together. Many general histories seem to focus on the empire-builders military conquests. However, in Foundation, Asimovs history of the future "makes the cogent point that the true tools of empire-building are economic and socio-political development" (Fiedler 57). This principle is shown through the use of the Seldon Crises. Most often, the resolutions to these crises are a unique swagger of psychological manipulation and technological usage. For example, the Galactic religion provides a core of psychologically manipulating the people of the galaxy to become dependent upon the technological mundanity of the Foundation. Much of Asimovs Foundation is based upon Marxism and the Marxist principle of historical materialism. In Charles Elkinss opinion, these Marxist ideas inclu de the old puzzle of historical inevitability (predestination) versus trim will, which itself flows out of the often unsuccessful yet desperately necessary-and therefore of all time repeated-struggles of men to control their personal futures and the futures of their societies.(Elkins 100) These ideas are shown throughout Foundation, and in regionicular are the basis behind most of the heroic characters. Characters like Hober Mallow, salvager Hardin, and Limmar Ponyets epitomize men who struggle to control their futures (Elkins 105). These men devote their lives to doing their part to help Seldons Plan to be a success, but in reality, they are a planned part of Seldons plan to help the Foundation succeed.