The Institutions of Extraterrestrial Liberty

The exploration of space raises new problems in the expression of human freedoms. While the potential to establish new extraterrestrial settlements is thrilling, it also brings along a myriad of decisions to consider when addressing how these settlements should operate in a way which maintains human liberties. In this book, many dimensions of freedom in space are discussed. Aspects of liberty beyond Earth, from the near term: freedom to claim satellite orbits, to the very long-term: freedom on interstellar worldships, are considered. Gathering a diverse set of expertise from scientists, ethicists, lawyers, philosophers and social scientists, they seek to collectively answer questions such as: How should early governance structures be assembled? What are the ideal forms of institutions, from science academies to schools and governments? What freedoms can people expect in space and how will governance beyond Earth tread the fine line between authority and liberty? A compelling analysis of liberties on Earth, the solar system, and beyond - this text is bound to inspire the interests of academics and scientists alike. Contents 6 List of Contributors 16 Introduction 1Charles S. Cockell 18 1. Are we ready for new liberties? Stewarding mutually assured autonomy through place-based experiments • Zarinah Karim Agnew, Eldridge Cruse, Kevin Bruce, Engelbert Wilfred Perlas, and Joseph Krauter 22 2. The voyage of 600 years: The ethical governance of a worldship • Stephen Baxter 40 3. Art, institutions, and liberty in extraterrestrial communities • Annalea Beattie 55 4. Space for opportunity: Transcultural and transnational sources of extraterrestrial liberty • Mukesh Chiman Bhatt 63 5. Expansion of humanity in space: Utopia or dystopia? • Octavio Alfonso Chon Torres 81 6. The cosmolegal approach to human activities in outer space • Elena Cirkovic 88 7. Essay on the Scottish Islands, their lessons for extraterrestrial governance, and a sketch of the applications of this knowledge to settlements beyond Earth • Charles S. Cockell 102 8. The law of Mars’ colonization • Raphaël Costa 123 9. Brightening the skies: Institutional solutions to the societal and geopolitical risks of space expansionism • Ian A. Crawford 136 10. Human conflict resolution in a non-Terran context • Janet de Vigne 157 11. Scarcity in space: Challenges for liberty • Martin Elvis 168 12. ‘We have come to Mars for good’: Science fiction, sovereignty, and the challenges of liberty • Simon Malpas 190 13. Securing the long-term peaceful use of space • Allan McKenna 204 14. Indigenous inclusion within the democratization of space • Tony Milligan 236 15. Decoupling physical and spiritual ascent narratives in astronomy and biology • Lucas John Mix 250 16. The law of Mars: The problem of violence mitigation in the development of extraterrestrial political institutions • Ethan Morales 271 17. Anarchy and authority: Summary justice on long-term space missions • Simon J. Morden 296 18. Making history cosmic, making cosmic history: Waking up to the richness of life’s potentials beyond Earth, or, how consequence and contingency became astronomical in scope • Thomas Moynihan 308 19. Only a paper moon: The Artemis Accords and future human settlements • Christopher J. Newman and William Ralston 352 20. Enlightenment beyond Earth • Anthony Pagden 369 21. Sovereign states, private actors, and (national) space laws. Arapidly evolving landscape • Stefania Paladini and Ignazio Castellucci 383 22. In space, nobody can copyright your scream • Burkhard Schafer 401 23. Justice in space: Demanding political philosophy for demanding environments • James S. J. Schwartz 428 24. Extraterrestrial governance: Why the constitutions of planets should be grounded in the constitution of their inhabitants • Michael Shermer 440 25. Global legal pluralism and outer space law: The Association of Autonomous Astronauts as a socio-legal community • Saskia Vermeylen 456 26. On libertarian communities in/around outer space: Isecology an antithesis to liberty? • Matjaz Vidmar 472 27. Law and liberty on the Moon • Frans G. von der Dunk 481 28. Welcoming disability as necessary in space travel • Sheri Wells-Jensen 492 29. Regulation—a restraint of liberty or an enabler?: Implementing sustainability guidelines for commercial space activities—normalising the regulatory ‘race to the top’ in an ESG world • Joanne Wheeler 500 30. The case for space is liberty • Robert Zubrin 514 ## Abstract Dark Skies: Space Expansionism, Planetary Geopolitics and the Ends of Humanity (Deudney 2020) claims that space expansionism will result in the destruction of the environment, hierarchical world government, interplanetary war, and human extinction. This chapter argues that its rejection of space expansionism is unwarranted. On the contrary, global security and the long-term sustainability of space activities would be served by expansionist projects. In support of this view, it traces the historical connection between negotiations for general and comprehensive disarmament and the “peaceful purposes” of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. Archival research from the period suggests that two fundamental problems of space arms control remain unsolved: the problem of verifying treaty compliance and the prevention of surprise attack. In addressing these problems, the chapter draws inspiration from proposals by space lawyers in the 1950s and early 1960s. What freedoms can people expect in space and how will governance beyond Earth tread the fine line between authority and liberty? In this multi-author book, the contributors consider all aspects of liberty beyond Earth, from the near term: freedom to claim satellite orbits, to the very long-term: freedom on interstellar worldships. Liberty in societies on the Moon, Mars, and elsewhere in the solar system is considered. Gathering together scientists, ethicists, lawyers, philosophers, and social scientists, this book considers one of the most enduring questions of human organization: what institutional arrangements can allow for the realization of diverse forms of human freedom? This multi-author text provides in-depth analyses of space ethics and approaches to governance on territories beyond Earth. With insights from a vast background of academic subjects including science, law, philosophy, psychology, and politics it presents a holistic take on the expression of space freedoms and what it might mean for humankind.