The idea of governance within space, on planets, or in space stations has raised many questions. For example, would the laws of the launching country apply in settling a legal matter that occurred in outer space, or would only the laws adopted independently by the space settlement be valid? And, if more than one country sponsored the expedition, which country's laws would be binding and who would enforce these laws? Furthermore, is it realistic to expect space settlers to defer to the authority of a country that it may take months to reach by space travel? These are only a few of the questions that the concept of space governance generates.

Political Philosophies and Self-Governance

Because of Earth's problematic history with colonization it is thought that some degree of self-governance would likely be suitable for space settlements. The following political philosophies demonstrate the broad spectrum of views as...