Posted on 05/31/2005 5:50:28 PM PDT by KevinDavis
Since the inception of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, international law regarding the use of outer space by nations and individuals has been dominated by the res communis doctrine, the concept that space belongs to mankind and not to one individual or country. While the doctrine is a noble one and is likely the offspring of the political and economic environment of the time, strides in technology as well as the evolution of the socio-political and economic environment makes the treaty more of a hindrance than a safeguard.
The fact is that although some of the principles espoused by the treaty have merit and have resulted in some child treaties that are certainly beneficial to the progress of space exploration, the underlying premise of res communis effectively limits expansion and innovation in the realm of outer space. Two areas in particular are national security and property rights and commercialization.
(Excerpt) Read more at thespacereview.com ...
We loaned money to companies and gave them land as an inducement to get them to build the railroad. The loans were repaid, with interest. The previously worthless land was now worth something, and land retained by the government was sold for money.
There was now an infrastructure to produce settlement, which begat other local governments, and new taxes for them.
Literally everybody won. Except maybe the indians. And there are no indians, or perhaps even life, in space.
Oh Goody! Did somebody say "reparations"?
I agree. We need weapons in space. Both offensive nd defensive.
a/k/a the red communist doctrine...
As I understand it, it is only the world's nations that have laid no possible claim to celestial bodies. Individuals are not bound by the Outer Space treaty of 1967. See:http://www.moonestates.com/cat_Questions.asp
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.