Yes, both, as long as one remains in period. I suggest having a good read through some VSF itself. The usual emphasis of Victorian and Edwardian fiction is rather more to the 'gritty' Social-Darwinist side, though not entirely.
At the one end we have Wells' The Land Ironclads (1903):
And he was much too good a journalist to spoil his contrast by remarking that the half-dozen comparatively slender young men in blue pajamas who were standing about their victorious land ironclad, drinking coffee and eating biscuits, had also in their eyes and carriage something not altogether degraded below the level of a man.
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks06/0604041h.html
And at the other end Robida's La Guerre au Vingtiéme Siécle (1887):
Business is business! Nowadays, in civilized countries, commercial treaties are imposed by gunfire. 'Well, well!' Molinas thought 'I only hope that it will not ruin my bathing holiday.' As he was finishing his cigarette, an announcement came through on the telephonograph.
Mobilization Orders
M. Molinas Fabius is assigned as Gunner, 2nd Class, to the Territorial Section, 6th Squadron. Today, at five o'clock, he will rejoin the aircraft Épervier at 3,200 metres above Pontoise.
'Damn it!' exclaimed Molinas, as he leapt to his feet. 'It's almost 1.00pm!...I've only just got time...I won't be going to the sea-side this year!'
(afraid I can't find an online copy of this)