Starship Troopers (1997)

 Starship Troopers (1997), directed by Paul Verhoeven and based on Robert A. Heinlein’s 1959 novel, is a satirical science-fiction film set in a militaristic future where citizenship is earned through military service. The story follows Johnny Rico and his peers as they navigate a society obsessed with civic duty, hierarchy, and the ongoing war against an alien species known as the Arachnids. Beneath its action-driven surface, the film critiques militarism, authoritarianism, and social stratification.

Tier	Who They Are	Reproductive / Family Rights	Social Logic Behind It
A. “Superior Genetics”	The healthiest, most physically ideal citizens	Full rights to reproduce; offspring automatically legitimate	State quietly preserves its eugenic ideals by privileging “optimal” gene lines
B. “Decent Genetics / Conditional Breeders”	Average citizens or non-citizens with acceptable health and records	Can have children only after state review, marriage approval, or service record	Reinforces the message that virtue and discipline—not desire—determine family
C. “Full Citizens”	Veterans or those who served successfully	Unlimited reproductive rights; their children automatically citizen-eligible	Embodies the civic religion: the virtuous should perpetuate the state
D. “Wealth Exception”	Affluent, influential non-citizens (like the Ricos)	Rights effectively purchased through wealth or influence	Keeps economic elites invested while maintaining ideological purity

It explains why nearly everyone onscreen appears genetically “perfect,” preserves the satire by showing the society enforcing biopolitical control, and highlights that even in a militarized meritocracy, wealth can buy exemption. The Federation’s eugenics likely isn’t a single explicit law but an ecosystem of incentives—service, social credit, and wealth—all channeling reproduction toward the “ideal citizen.”