My Little Pony, America, and the Communist Manifesto

[Zenith 669]

With the season five premiere, it is now a better time than ever to talk about the connections with My Little Pony, the American government, and its relation with the communist manifesto and totalitarianism. The premiere seemed to give a contrast between the government and ideology of Equestria, including the power its ruler Celestia has over her citizens—and how it contrasts with Starlight Glimmer’s rule over the ponies who pledge allegiance to her, who seemed to believe the life they were living was superior to the way ponies are “supposed” to live their lives, IE every pony in Equestria, or generally every pony who embraces their cutie mark and their own individuality.

 

It is far from ambiguous that “Cutie Markless” represents Glimmer and the ponies she rules over as a representation of communism relative especially to the USSR. It’s even noted how the mane six go east, telling us that Equestria is more of a representation of western civilization, and how the Iron Curtain was more of an east to west thing, how NATO had to keep the curtain from falling further west. In this case, we Equestria represented as America in such a charismatic light that anyone who defies their way of living are doing wrong. Not to paint Glimmer as the real hero—far from it—but it seems there are no real winners when it comes to something like this. The ponies who have gotten rid of their cutie marks to become “equal,” in relation to socialist ideals related with everyone having an equal share, is then led to the audience seeing how their way of life is corrupted. “The Villaige of Odd Smiles” shows every pony with smiles on their faces, like how the patriotism of communist countries have exhibited everyone as though they believe the economy they are ruled under is superior to its opposite (capitalism). The Village appears to have less of the technological strength as Equestria, since it has just one road with parallel houses, and is in the middle of nowhere. This makes sense because countries like the USSR had less of the glammer as America. It’s generally viewed that western capitalist countries are first world, while communist countries are second. In this case, Equestria is the former and the Village the latter.

 

Glimmer even has a close relation to Joseph Stalin, as she is represented when we first see her as a kind pony who welcomes anypony to experience what she calls “true friendship.” In the beginning, everyone has this profound love for Glimmer, and it seems to show with her kindness and the happiness it seems she has brought with her ability to make everypony “equal.” As with Glimmer, totalitarian leaders have been depicted in a sense that they are the greatest people in the land, that they can do no wrong. It even goes so far that they are of divine power, like how things have been in North Korea.

 

The show seems to view Equestria in a fashion like how America has viewed itself and has taught its people for generations, that we are the good guys who can do no wrong. Slightly off-topic, but this idea that “we’re the good guys” was really sabotaged when it came to the Nixon era of government and the Vietnam War. The writers have yet to make a one or two part episode that seems to connect with the Nixon era, as far as I am aware; and I don’t know if they will, since this show is classified as directed towards children, but the allegory with the relation between America and communism is strong.

 

My theory is that the show views Equestria like how one would ideally view Glimmer’s society if they were an ideal citizen of it, that Celestia is no better than her when it comes to her rule over her nation and the way ponies are expected to live. How it may seem freeing for ponies to have their own cutie marks as a representation of their unique traits, but that they are under a false freedom where they are essentially told they have to commit to what they are given, so there is no freedom either way. Similarly, Americans are told they can do whatever they want, but are a part of a social ladder that is broken, where they often have a hard or impossible time to get out of the status that society gives them. As totalitarian leaders having been viewed as the human spawns of Satan, one could view Celestia as President Obama and thus the devil.

 

As those who have watched the show know, Princess Celestia (and her sister) is essentially the divine ruler of Equestria. While the President of America (Satan) doesn’t seem to have such a power, the way Celestia is depicted in the show seems like an exaggeration of what America really is, or what has become, with the higher powers, or the higher-ups, having all the power, while everyone below lives under a false idea of true freedom.

 

I think, when Lauren Faust decided to make and direct this show, her intentions were to produce an allegory of the American corruption on the world, and how Celestia is essentially the satanic ruler in a society that pretends it has freedom for all. She may have stepped down, but the people who are working in the show today have continued in her vision.

 

Thank you for reading. Let’s discuss the connections that a show filled with candy colored horses has with global economics and religious ideologies

Edited April 4, 2015 by Coco Pommel

[NotoriousSMALL 1,984]

I saw it more of, if it were to be, an allegory for cults.

If you remember the ending, the ponies said they thought they would find something they were missing in their lives, which is usually what happens to people who get caught up in cults.

Also, it has a wild philosophy that seems ridiculous to anyone. And you can see how no one is allowed to leave after they join (scientology has tried to and sometimes succeeded killing its own members who have left).

The leader, Starlight, is revealed to still have her cutie mark and is using these ponies just for her own gain like some scam cults that are just milking its members for money, etc. (but obviously magic or whatever for Starlight).

Edited April 4, 2015 by NotoriousSMALL

[Shanks 10,817]

I don't see the episode as having an expressly political message but more one that condemns blind conformity with that said though the socio political paralells are way too obvious to ignore. Aside from it being implied that Equestria is a constitutional monarchy with the "princesses" all sharing power it dosen't go into too much detail about its political system. Based on what we know it seems to be a combination of a constitutional monarchy along with a "mixed" economy but the finer details such as if Equestria has a congress or a parliament (yes there is a difference) or how much power the federal government verses cities but we do have a fairly good idea that Equestria dosen't seem to suffer from the excesses of communism, socialism, crony capitalism ect...

 

With this and previous evidence from the Crystal Empire being enslaved by King Sombra we know that there are other parts of the MLP universe that clearly don't share the same socio-economic and political system as Equesria. With the precent set with that and this episode it makes me wonder exactly other systems of government other parts of the MLP universe have? Could we perhaps in a future episode see a fascist or nationalist city/kingdom? Quite possibly, if not though we will definetely see it in fanfics. I am curious to see what kind of governmental system the Griffon's have.

[Frostgage 7,982]

All I saw was ponies trying to solve a friendship problem. I guess I wasn't watching hard enough

[MLG4Ever 876]

I just hope that the episode doesn't get banned or anything.

This episode will get banned in North Korea...oh wait there is no MLP in North Korea!

[The Awesome One 1,316]

Honestly this was the only thing going through my head when I was watching that episode.

 

This village is communist.

 

I didn't think I'd be seeing underlying themes like that in a show that is primarily made for little girls. It almost felt like the town was a communist state somewhere in the third world and 'Merica (the mane 6) come in and give them a big load of freedom.

[Tom Snyder 4,113]

I saw it more of, if it were to be, an allegory for cults.

If you remember the ending, the ponies said they thought they would find something they were missing in their lives, which is usually what happens to people who get caught up in cults.

Also, it has a wild philosophy that seems ridiculous to anyone. And you can see how no one is allowed to leave after they join (scientology has tried to and sometimes succeeded killing its own members who have left).

The leader, Starlight, is revealed to still have her cutie mark and is using these ponies just for her own gain like some scam cults that are just milking its members for money, etc. (but obviously magic or whatever for Starlight).

That's what i was saying, it was more of personal gain than trying to actually help them. Though I doubt anypony would want this kind of lifestyle, you can't have peace without some conflict in the mix. But through your differences you learn to appreciate what makes you and others special.

Edited April 4, 2015 by Candy Star

[Sazama Ichida 2,367]

That's a bunch of crap. I wasn't even a little bit reminded of communism by this episode.

[Pastel 7,630]

I agree with those saying the episode wasn't hinting at communism.

I think you're overanalyzing a bit, the word "communism" hasn't been pronounced in the episode, and kids will only see another episode about a friendship issue.

Edited April 5, 2015 by Blobulle

[hawkflame 3,315]

I don't think that it's overanalysis to see communism in the episode. Propaganda blaring over the loudspeakers? Dissenters being sent to "re-education" centers? Encouragement of ratting out your friends and neighbors to avoid your own punishment? The top leadership of the community setting a different standard for themselves over everyone else? Being boxed into a role that was assigned to you as opposed to your own passions and interests?

 

These are all hallmarks of a Stalinist society. Hell, even the common mane styles enforced by the leadership is a real thing. North Korea has a list of state "suggested" (read mandated) hairstyles for men and women. Sounds crazy, but true.

[simba86 1,541]

I can see some communist elements in it but i think that it was more like a cult than anything, 

[Marimo 555]

They didn't go that far east. Heck, the map even shows that Manehatten and Fillydelphia are still farther east than where the village is.

[hawkflame 3,315]

I can see some communist elements in it but i think that it was more like a cult than anything,

Look at North Korea. Sometimes there's hardly a difference.

[simba86 1,541]

Look at North Korea. Sometimes there's hardly a difference.

yeah, sometimes there is not a big difference between a cult and communism

[ThePoniMan 164]

Joseph Stallion approves.

 

 

 

But I'm only on season 3, so I still have a lot to catch up on... I'm trying not to read any spoilers

[ScarfaceOne 264]

I just hope that the episode doesn't get banned or anything.

 

I hope not too, there was once a Pingu episode with Perestroika and Glasnost on signs in Russian. But cults have been explored in children's media before. Earthbound, with the happy happiest cult. Then in an episode of Spongebob, Squidward joins the Cephalopod Lodge. Which is a Stonemasons like cult. Plus there was a Powerpuff Girls episode which was banned because of Communist Themes. As I say, it is better to be Communist than Nazi, but I am openly Socialist, which is like a way better version of Communism. And then there was Russian Winnie the Pooh, which indoctrinated Russian Children with Communist propaganda. www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqdiEUp6s4E 

Edited April 5, 2015 by ScarfaceOne

[LZRD WZRD 1,929]

There are allusions to communist societies, but the society itself is an egalitarian one, if we're being precise. Also it was a homage to the types of stories Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, and Philip K. Dick wrote in the 20th century.

[AccountNoLongerUsed 741]

Look at North Korea. Sometimes there's hardly a difference.

North Korea isnt Communism, it's Theocracy.

[ScarfaceOne 264]

I don't think that it's overanalysis to see communism in the episode. Propaganda blaring over the loudspeakers? Dissenters being sent to "re-education" centers? Encouragement of ratting out your friends and neighbors to avoid your own punishment? The top leadership of the community setting a different standard for themselves over everyone else? Being boxed into a role that was assigned to you as opposed to your own passions and interests?

 

These are all hallmarks of a Stalinist society. Hell, even the common mane styles enforced by the leadership is a real thing. North Korea has a list of state "suggested" (read mandated) hairstyles for men and women. Sounds crazy, but true.

 

It's like Animal Farm and 1984. Both by George Orwell, my mother did a GCSE on Animal Farm. All animals are equal but some are more equal than others. The ''more equal'' being the ponies with cutie marks. The Lego Movie is also slightly based on 1984. Lord Business rules a society and makes everyone follow his instructions before he uses glue on them. And is not creative, Emmet teaching him creativity the same way Twilight tried to teach Sunset. And then there is Homefront, which is the only media on this list that is not children's media. The game where you are a resistance fighter against North Korea who have taken over the United States. I found it disturbing because there was a scene where a 5 Year Old's boy parents were killed in front of him, then the soldiers walk off like nothing happened and the boy cried over his parents in a harrowing way, it was Callous and Disgusting. Then again it was written by John Milius, who also wrote the plot to Apocalypse Now. One of my dad's favorite films. Which my mum said she cringed at. I am Left Wing. So I do support reverse communism(Socialism). As I say, it is better to be a communist than a Nazi. Nazis killed millions of Jews just because they believe that they extorted money from Germany.

Edited April 5, 2015 by ScarfaceOne

[Argumedies 1,749]

Im already sick of seeing this "communist" bull.

 

Ya theres a lot of hard parallels in this episode but this has to be one of the most and worst use of over thinking things as of yet in this fandom and its just plain stupid to keep going on about it

[Montag 3]

The stuff that happened in this episode had more in common with religious cults then with a communist regime.  

 

There are certainly some parallels and overlap, but I think it's rather mindless of people to just go for the communism comparison just because of the whole wanting people equal thing. Communism, even in it's most extreme forms was about much more then just making people equal at all cost.

[KokuraiNoSenshi 3,465]

It's things like these that make me honestly wonder wtf is with the brony community... It's candy colored equines people I think you're reading too deep into this, like bottomless hole deep...

[ScarfaceOne 264]

It's like Animal Farm and 1984. Both by George Orwell, my mother did a GCSE on Animal Farm. All animals are equal but some are more equal than others. The ''more equal'' being the ponies with cutie marks. The Lego Movie is also slightly based on 1984. Lord Business rules a society and makes everyone follow his instructions before he uses glue on them. And is not creative, Emmet teaching him creativity the same way Twilight tried to teach Sunset. And then there is Homefront, which is the only media on this list that is not children's media. The game where you are a resistance fighter against North Korea who have taken over the United States. I found it disturbing because there was a scene where a 5 Year Old's boy parents were killed in front of him, then the soldiers walk off like nothing happened and the boy cried over his parents in a harrowing way, it was Callous and Disgusting. Then again it was written by John Milius, who also wrote the plot to Apocalypse Now. One of my dad's favorite films. Which my mum said she cringed at. I am Left Wing. So I do support reverse communism(Socialism). As I say, it is better to be a communist than a Nazi. Nazis killed millions of Jews just because they believe that they extorted money from Germany.

 

My Mistake. I actually Mean't Starlight not Sunset!!!

[ArgentWarrior 7]

The village is a representation of Communism.

 

In a Communistic society, everyone is equal in every way. Nobody stands out.

In the village, everyone was stripped of their talents to make them eual.

 

In Communism, dissent is often treated with hostility.

In the village, the Mane Six were being brainwashed. Party Favor was thrown in there with them to be "rehabilitated" when he admitted to assisting them.

 

And as you all saw, Starlight deceived the population, while keeping her own cutiemark to retain her advantage over them.

[Zoraxe 546]

I don't see how 〓 village was any more or less communistic than Ponyville is. In that the show is really not providing any details in regards to politics or economics. It also doesn't make a stand on individualism VS collectivism outside of saying 'everyponies special', except for this episode which is a critique on collectivism taken to an fantastical extreme and other episodes with egotistical jerks and snobs which is individualism taken pretty far.

 

This episode is not anti-communist.

Edited April 6, 2015 by Zoraxe