Thesis: The contrast between Urras, a planet divided between capitalism and a form of authoritarianism, and its twin planet, Anarres, which is Marxist, show the problems with the class-based systems of capitalism and Soviet-style communism on one hand and with the communitarian system of Marxism on the other hand. The governments on both planets show that economic systems can affect people's ability to form relationships with others and achieve their goals.
1. Urras:
- Urras, while rich in natural resources, has been exploited to the point of depletion, and its governmental systems--whether capitalist, Soviet-style communist, or a kind of developing world system--involve the exploitation of the vast majority of the population. The riches of the planet are available only to the privileged few and humans' relationships with each other are marked by greed and possession; for example, only the wealthy can afford to pay for school, which is for boys.
2. Anarres:
- Anarres, on the other hand, is a poor planet, rich only in minerals, which are sent to Urras. While people share what they have, a reality even mirrored in the language people use in which they are not supposed to show personal possession, the society also discourages the type of achievement that Shevek hopes to pursue, and human relationships are so free that they are often marked by a sense of non-commitment.
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