The Implications of a Space Democracy

Throughout our reign as Earth's dominant species, there have arisen many unique visions for economic and social order. These distinct approaches have, in part, shaped and driven the most vital characteristics of our collective existence — from trade and foreign policy to security and health, to education and entertainment. Now, as humankind converges on an increasingly tangible space ecosystem with space-based infrastructure, a new prospect has emerged at an ideological crossroads: space governance.

With much of the high frontier still standing as uncharted, malleable territory, Earth's leading nations are now looking to stake their claim and contribute to the growing space economy. Crucially, this process entails a melding of starkly different economic and political ideologies, which will almost certainly be a point of international contention as this progressive concept becomes reality. Democratic nations, in particular, will look to build a space culture founded on social norms, an egalitarian counter-current to those who would instead use space as an extension of authoritarianism, which could create lasting consequences for space accessibility and development.

In this regard, the US has an opportunity to lead this so-called second space race by example, promoting equality of access and opportunity, and inclusive global leadership — those values that have helped it remain one of the world's most forward-thinking and influential nations. These principles spread beyond social cohesion; they stand to open crucial new doors to vital resources, progressive federal policies, and infrastructural protocols that could bolster space-related development rather than silo it. This approach could allow a more seamless process for space research and exploration, reinforcing the nascent space economy by prioritizing collective knowledge and emphasizing sustainability.

As space-related endeavors grow to shape on-Earth initiatives and policies (and vice-versa), the installation of a space democracy could not only expand such values — it could create a symbiotic partner for similar values at home, both sectors growing and learning in tandem to augment one another. By allowing the rise of a strictly authoritarian presence in space, we could risk undermining and regressing strides in democratic values, for which the world has made great progress in the past half-century.

However, space democratization is by no means a cut-and-dry undertaking, with authoritarianism representing a potentially inevitable, default economic foundation due to certain space-related challenges. As noted by David Colby Reed for MIT Media Lab:

"Authoritarian relations would appear to be the likeliest social arrangement [for the space economy], for it is difficult for a free society of equals to take root in a context in which surveillance is total, government is private, and, due to the hostility of the space environment, noncompliance with authorities is lethal."

To push back against these notions, Reed suggests the fast-acting and persistent implementation of democratic governance — namely, democratic social relations in our future space economic structures and habitations.

For the US, I believe this action begins with establishing a clear vision of its space development plans, transcending research and arms control alone; it must make democratic uniformity an incentive for those nations that may oppose it on Earth, rooting such cohesion in the greater good of space resource utilization and collective welfare. Most importantly, it must establish transparent intentions for regulation and military action — all of which can give this vision the best chance of achieving viability.

The reality is that much of the rising space economy remains enigmatic — even utopian. In a perfect scenario, this ambitious venture would reach proper fruition by means of geopolitical harmony and a shared desire to move on from antiquated, draconian social norms. If space is to remain a competition, however, the world's democratic powers must prioritize its healthy, sustainable development, and maintain a hopeful upward trajectory for our species as a whole.