technological-utopianism

The 'Preamble' introduces the book's central concern: the lost capacity of the political left to envision and build a transformative future despite unprecedented technological potential. It critiques 'folk politics'—a defensive, localized, and fragmented approach to political struggle—and argues for a new, ambitious left politics that harnesses technological advances to overcome capitalism and achieve universal prosperity and emancipation. The chapter diagnoses the failures of neoliberalism and social democracy, emphasizing the need to reclaim control over the future through a collective and modern political project.

This chapter explores the origins and ideological context of modern rocketry, focusing on pioneers like Tsiolkovsky who were driven by visionary dreams of spaceflight rather than practical or political motives. It situates their work within the broader socio-political landscape of Russia, highlighting the tensions between technological progress and authoritarian control under both the tsarist and Bolshevik regimes. The chapter also examines the contradictions faced by Soviet science policy, which sought rapid technological advancement while suppressing intellectual freedom and foreign influence.