Politics on a Space Ship

Kama

More a thought experiment than anything else...


I grew up expecting that by my current age, I'd be on a generational subluminal colony ship by now. I also have played *far* too much Alpha Centauri. So I was wondering, what kind of political organization would best suit a colony ship in space? We're not talking something close like Mars, but a multigenerational 'longshot' colonization effort: no warp gates, drives, or dilithium, no cryobeds, just you and a breeding population of humans boldly going.

Do you think any current social system would be a good model? If so, why?

Iwasfrozen

Kama wrote: »

More a thought experiment than anything else...


I grew up expecting that by my current age, I'd be on a generational subluminal colony ship by now. I also have played *far* too much Alpha Centauri. So I was wondering, what kind of political organization would best suit a colony ship in space? We're not talking something close like Mars, but a multigenerational 'longshot' colonization effort: no warp gates, drives, or dilithium, no cryobeds, just you and a breeding population of humans boldly going.

Do you think any current social system would be a good model? If so, why?

Socialism, Working collectively will dramatically increase the explorers chances of survival.

ei.sdraob

Kama wrote: »

More a thought experiment than anything else...


I grew up expecting that by my current age, I'd be on a generational subluminal colony ship by now. I also have played *far* too much Alpha Centauri. So I was wondering, what kind of political organization would best suit a colony ship in space? We're not talking something close like Mars, but a multigenerational 'longshot' colonization effort: no warp gates, drives, or dilithium, no cryobeds, just you and a breeding population of humans boldly going.

Do you think any current social system would be a good model? If so, why?

well here is an example as to whats currently happens in space (ISS).

Last year a Russian cosmonaut complained that he was no longer allowed to use the US toilet because of billing and cost issues

i would have to say it would really depend on the size of group and ship
smaller=socialism/communism ---->

---

larger=capitalism

btw there is an excellent series that BBC are showing lately and was cancelled by ABC half way thru first series
it sort of touches on politics of travel in 21st century

Kama wrote: »

no warp gates, drives, or dilithium

damn I always found the Socialist Utopia and no monetary economy of Star Trek world amusing, along with how Ferengi with their unfettered capitalist system are portrayed

/

silverharp

Interesting , keep it light over xmas:D, I'd go with a Star Trek kind of setup, the crew would run the ship but there would be some council as well that would represent the civilians. I would assume there would be various protocols dictating decision making between the captain and the head of the council. but while in space the captain would have the final veto, if they ever reach their destination the balance of powers would move to the civil structure.

Joycey

ei.sdraob wrote: »

Quote:
Last year a Russian cosmonaut complained that he was no longer allowed to use the US toilet because of billing and cost issues
/

Priceless

Ostrom

Kama wrote: »

More a thought experiment than anything else...


I grew up expecting that by my current age, I'd be on a generational subluminal colony ship by now. I also have played *far* too much Alpha Centauri. So I was wondering, what kind of political organization would best suit a colony ship in space? We're not talking something close like Mars, but a multigenerational 'longshot' colonization effort: no warp gates, drives, or dilithium, no cryobeds, just you and a breeding population of humans boldly going.

Do you think any current social system would be a good model? If so, why?

Youre not the first to have thought of this one! There was a (very) brief debate on potential applications of James Miller's Living Systems Theory to intergalactic governance about ten years ago. I have one of the papers in work (cant cite as i am heading home for christmas!). It may have been theory, culture and society. Completely indulgent and utterly pointless, but entertaining. Will post reference as soon as i can, there were three in all (two papers and one reply if i remember)

Sleepy

I think the Battlestar Gallactica reboot covered this topic quite extensively, illustrating the dangers of democracy in such a situation quite well.

ei.sdraob

Sleepy wrote: »

I think the Battlestar Gallactica reboot covered this topic quite extensively, illustrating the dangers of democracy in such a situation quite well.

hmm didn't think of that, yes they did illustrate well what can happen

i suppose any space missions would include military personnel, so most likely we end-up with some sort of authoritarian system witch a chain of command for a ship to work

democracy could be dangerous

Bigdeadlydave

Either a dictatorship or an oligarchy. No time for debate when things are very perilous.

Ostrom

As promised, not sure if it was a Sokal-style pisstake but....:

O' Donnell, Declan. 1994. Founding a Space Nation Utilizing Living Systems Theory, Behavioural Science, Vol. 93, 2: 93-

Introduction -

For the future exploration, utilization, and settlement of the space frontier, it is proposed that a separate nation be created for the New Millennium as humankind's representative government in space. Called a "Metanation," this innovative entity would fill the present political void in space and manage that "territory" with focus, financing, and the legal force of government. The "common heritage of mankind" (C.H.O.M.) would be protected while the orbital environment is first developed and then administered by that sovereign state in trust for all nations and all peoples of Earth. [C.H.O.M. (The Common Heritage of Mankind) is a legal "term of art" defined in the proposed United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982.] This broader model of governance is "Metaspace," for that area of our Solar System beyond our terrestrial home. In both usages, the term "meta" is used in its classical sense of above, beyond, around and about. In this article, the combination of words indicates activities that are extraterrestrial. Thus, metaspace is governance that is beyond this planet, while being comparable in operation to that of earthly nations (i.e., on behalf of the all the citizenry). The suggested structure features an independent but representative governmental institution, complete with a legislature and a judicial system, which will have plenary jurisdiction to rule aloft. In planning for this off-world government, it is proposed here that living systems theory may be applicable.





The paper itself also discusses the implications of international cooperation in future ventures, and refers to the AIAA Workshop Report on International Space Cooperation, 1982 concluding:

- There is no coordinated, multinational mechanism in place to ensure the optimum utilization of the world's space infrastructure resources as a means of addressing current and future global challenges. . . .

- It is unlikely that, in the near future, any government or group of governments will undertake large, costly long-term space exploration projects, involving a human return to the Moon, or a human expedition to Mars.

- The only positive sign to counter that pessimistic assessment was the announcement (September 3, 1993) that the United States and Russia had agreed to collaborate on building together a truly international space station, possibly as early as 1996, containing modules and components from Europe, Japan, and Canada

Interesting considering that one venture has already been completed, and another (both - moon and mars) are in the works.