6.0 ESN
Planetary colonialism is new to our species, but colonialism and expansionism are not, as human history is filled with examples of both.
Colonialism usually involves the destruction or subjugation of the original culture and peoples through conflict. Once conquered, the native population must continually be managed, usually through harsh means. Expansionism is similar but usually between more equal rivals on the battlefield.
A common byproduct of colonialism and expansionism is revolution. At some future point the new colony or territory will rebel against their distant masters. Governments that install puppet rulers in their newly claimed territories often face the inevitable revolutionary wars and eventual loss of what they had claimed.
When considering planetary colonialism / expansionism, there are no native cultures or peoples that we are aware of. The consequences however, are likely to be the same as here on Earth. Any Lunar or planetary colony ruled or governed by Earth based entities will experience revolution.
It does not matter if it is a government or business or military ruler, the colony will revolt against its distant masters seeking independence.
ESN in the diagram refers to Earth Sovereign Nation and it is here that revolution is stopped before it begins.
The ESN is either an Earth based nation recognized by other Earth nations or is just an Earth based “Embassy” of the colony conducting business and governmental affairs on Earth. My paper on “Interplanetary Colonial Governance and Sovereignty” indicates how this could be achieved.
The ESN works in tandem with its counterpart at the colony to govern and conduct colonial business. This is where Earth based governments and businesses would come to present their colonial business ventures.
This last statement does not mean that the ESN is claiming control over the colony or will be a hindrance to Earth governments or businesses. The structure of this plan is designed to manage, not hinder the “Gold Rush” that would be colonialism.
Numerous papers and laws have been written on the subject of the uses and ownership of extraterrestrial bodies, all with the hope of an amicable, peaceful and equitable expropriation of land and resources. To some degree this paper is in agreement with those premises.[1]
The differences arise in that I am proposing a Sovereign Martian based governance and administrative body, separate and not held to account by all previous Earth treaties and commitments. An adhoc land grab as is generally assumed in other papers would lead to more conflict than resolution under current Earth based laws. A “gold rush” scenario would rapidly develop leading to conflict.
My paper on “Interplanetary Colonial Governance and Sovereignty” goes into greater detail as to why an Earth based governance approach is fraught with problems.
When the mechanisms are not in place to manage a new territory or resource from the beginning, the gold rush scenario plays out. The example below is just one such occurrence:
Major General Sir Samuel Benfield Steele KCMG CB MVO was a
distinguished Canadian soldier and police official. He was an officer of the
North-West Mounted Police, most famously as head of the
Large gold discoveries in the
Travelling to
Moving to
Most people in
As you can see by the article, a gold rush created chaos, subsequent attempts to bring order to that chaos were met in two separate ways. The general population welcomed the order while those who reaped the greatest benefit from the chaos did not want it to end. Those people did what they could to ensure chaos continued.
Why is this important, that was more than a century ago?
We are on the threshold of interplanetary flight and colonization and the ensuing opportunities are tantamount to a new gold rush. It is important because left unchecked; chaos and lawlessness abound in new territories.
The governance and administration concept I am proposing works to the benefit of all, but manages the exploration and development. Sam Steele brought order to chaos, when gold fever ran amok, which is basically what will happen in our race to space.
ESN and the other aspects of the plan is essentially a neutral gatekeeper, not a locked barricade door.
Other benefits to this form of administration would also include onsite facilities and acclimatized and trained colonial staff able to assist in exploration and other support functions.
Comments
Post a Comment