The Currents of Space

The Currents of Space is, like the previous entry in the Empire series, a fun 1950s sci-fi romp through interstellar intrigue, colonialism in space, and adrenaline-packed adventures. Set mostly on the Galaxy's only planet capable of producing the valuable resource kyrt, the story appears to develop the theme of colonial exploitation hinted at in The Stars, Like Dust. Indeed, unlike the model of the Mongol empire in the previous novel, the exploitation of the "native" Florinians by the Sarkites seems to recall the more ruthless and modern colonial relationships of European imperialism or apartheid South Africa (modern industrial exploitation combined with strict segregation of Sarkite "Squires" and Florinian "native" workers or civil servants).

In fact, the "racial" element does arise in this novel, although the native Florinians are described as "white" with lighter-colored hair instead of the olive-complexioned Sarkites. The color analogy is brought to to fore by the "black" character Selim Junz, whose Libairian homeland recalls their origins as dark-skinned peoples fleeing racial conflict in the distant past. Junz, recalling this ancient history of anti-black racism, feels a deep sympathy for the oppressed Florinians who occupy the other extreme of human color variation. The strict regimentation of "native" workers in the mills, the cultivation of a "native" bureaucracy that is inculcated to think itself superior to the other "natives," and the startling differences in quality of life and amenities between the Sarkite Upper City and the "native" Lower City 

Moving on from the themes of colonialism, The Currents of Space also highlights an important episode in the pre-Galactic Empire of the Foundation series. Trantor is the seat of the dominant power, but lacks complete control of the Galaxy. The question of kyrt and preventing a Galactic war between the Trantorian Empire and the non-affiliated planets such as Sark is of the utmost importance to Abel, the official envoy of Trantor. At the center of it all lies Rik, the victim of a psycho-probe that destroyed his memories after he unveiled the upcoming calamity that will strike Florina. Along the twists and currents of this sometimes zany novel, we learn how Trantor's expansion involved far more than simple imperial expansion through military conquest. 

Instead, like Abel envisions, the dream of Galaxy-wide rule by a single entity, capable of ushering universalist laws and standards (the like of which would end Sarkite colonial exploitation of Florinians) can gradually resolve differences among the various segments of humanity throughout the stars. Of course, Trantor's representative has to be forced into this position by events beyond his (and Sarkite) control. Clearly, the model of the Roman Empire and the US inspired Asimov's Galactic Empire and the ecumenical dream of restoring unity to the myriad descendants of Earth. Unlike the US Constitution's influence on the dream of a free Nebular Kingdoms in the last installment, the reader here is gifted with a view to the future Galactic Empire.