What social issues are addressed in the novel, Dragonsdawn?

Earth's principal problems are old and familiar: a pollution-plagued environment ruled by a technocratic bureaucracy. Since Pern is too far from Earth to be commercially exploited, the colonists establish an agriculturally-based economy, with a minimal, localized political structure.

Concern for the planet's ecology plays a large part in all decisions affecting the survival of the colony. The colonists bring many animals, plants and microorganisms from Earth, and biologists and genetic engineers help with integration and adaptation to Pern's ecology.