Outer Space: Ungoverned or Lacking Effective Governance?: New Approaches to Managing Human Activities in Space

Hertzfeld, Henry R.; Weeden, Brian; Johnson, Christopher Daniel

doi:10.1353/sais.2016.0017

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…We also examined our collection of 1042 arrangements for potential regulatory implications of a "global commons" perspective, which we again derived from the legal literature. These potential implications are ( 1) ensuring open or free access to the commons (hereafter free access), (2) prohibiting national or private appropriation of the commons or its resources (non-appropriation), (3) assigning a supranational authority with a managerial function over the commons (supranational authority), (4) sharing the benefits arising from the commons (benefit sharing), (5) utilizing the commons for peaceful purposes (peaceful purposes), and (6) managing the commons sustainably to safeguard the interests of future generations (preservation) (Frakes, 2003;Hertzfeld, Weeden, & Johnson, 2016;Khatwani, 2019;Mirzaee, 2017;Porras, 2006;Shackelford, 2009;Tepper, 2019;Zhao & Li, 2021). 4…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This extension from local to global resources changes several elements of the analogy, including the nature of the actors involved, the timeframe, the incentives, and opportunities for experimentation (Keohane & Ostrom, 1994;Stern, 2011). Areas beyond national jurisdiction have little in common with communal grazing in medieval England (Hertzfeld et al, 2015;Mendenhall, 2018). Cashore and Bernstein have recently criticized the unreflective use of the commons analogy in the academic literature and lamented "the tragedy of the diffusion of the commons metaphor" (2022).…”

Section: From a Collective Action Problem To A Social Constructmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conversely, others fear that this approach would hinder private investment and the exploitation of space resources (Goehring, 2020;Pace, 2017). Additionally, some experts argue that the concept of commons is too vague and contested for making space activities sustainable (Hertzfeld, Weeden, & Johnson, 2015;Tepper, 2019), advocating instead for a more pragmatic approach based on specific sets of rights and obligations for different regions and objects in outer space.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Outer Space as a Global Commons: An Empirical Study of Space Arrangements

Pic,

Evoy,

Morin

2023

International Journal of the Commons

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The designation of outer space as a global commons is a contentious issue. Some argue that officially recognizing it as such could discourage private investment, while others claim that it would not sufficiently promote sustainability. To address these debates, this article examines how space actors use a global commons framework in their institutional arrangements. Based on a collection of 1042 space arrangements, we characterize a subset of arrangements that explicitly reference concepts related to the notion of global commons. We observe that this framework is seldom used in bilateral arrangements and is mostly absent from recent agreements made by influential players. Furthermore, we find that employing principles related to global commons in arrangements does not result in significantly different operational rules. As a result, we conclude that a clearly defined global commons perspective has yet to be articulated and institutionalized.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: From a Collective Action Problem To A Social Constructmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Outer Space as a Global Commons: An Empirical Study of Space Arrangements

Pic,

Evoy,

Morin

2023

International Journal of the Commons

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“…Planners and geographers recognise and extend these features (including their diffusion) to embrace the new agendas, place and activities of governance now and ahead (see, for example, Coffey et al , 2020; Swapan and Khan, 2018). Space governance analysed with reference to these principles has gaps and must be enhanced (Schrunk et al , 2007; Hertzfeld et al , 2016; Migaud et al , 2021). We simply do not have regimes that respond to the needs of humans living and working in space.…”

Section: Multidisciplinary Approach and Governance Lensmentioning

confidence: 99%

(Un)earthly governance: beyond functional frameworks to flourishing spacescapes

Mouat

Techera

Notebaert

et al. 2021

JPPEL

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Purpose Humanity has a weakness in how we approach the “challenge” of using outer space. This paper aims to show how the global and national frameworks that address our planetary activities and crises are inadequate for the opportunities and challenges of life in outer space. Design/methodology/approach The authors draw on multidisciplinary perspectives to refine an organising governance framework that better showcases the challenges and pathways needed for living and thriving in space-age. The authors prioritise two key pillars and overview the practical and social implications that space-age humanity must address. Findings Social sciences and humanities are vital to problematising post-war colonial legacies of governance by distinguishing the unique and overlooked challenges for thriving and working offworld and identifying progressive research agendas. Research limitations/implications The highlighted agenda has implications for collaborative research institutes and project design. As the vital basis for continuous learning, university-based research institutes span bodies of knowledge, experience, convention and imagination that can support vibrant and overdue debate on good governance that is out of this world. Practical implications This expansive approach has practical implications for the decision-making processes and subjects of spacescape, from reconciling the space commons with prospecting and human occupation to potential governance regimes that capitalise on the zeal for moving beyond merely “existing” off-world. Social implications Examining the governance deficit as we pursue developing spacescape frontiers is an enriching (not reductionist) agenda that deliberately troubles the existing and emerging regime for governing our scientific and imagined off-world society. Originality/value This framework appeals to humanity’s highest evolution in co-producing a fair and flourishing off-world governance framework (beyond replicating planetary regimes).

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“…The current legal regime poses challenges to economic development in space ( 13 – 15 ), as do geopolitical and military considerations, and significant state involvement in space-related industries. While an expansive body of research has considered the use of various principles of commons governance in managing space activities and resources without establishing property rights ( 16 – 18 ), economists have long recognized the importance of property rights for efficient resource allocation ( 19 , 20 ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Space exploration and economic growth: New issues and horizons

Corrado,

Cropper,

Rao

2023

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Outer Space: Ungoverned or Lacking Effective Governance?: New Approaches to Managing Human Activities in Space

Cited by 11 publications

References 3 publications

Outer Space as a Global Commons: An Empirical Study of Space Arrangements

Outer Space as a Global Commons: An Empirical Study of Space Arrangements

(Un)earthly governance: beyond functional frameworks to flourishing spacescapes

Space exploration and economic growth: New issues and horizons

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