Space Capitalism: How Humans will Colonize Planets, Moons, and Asteroids

by Peter Lothian Nelson, Walter E. Block

This book compares and contrasts the motivations, morality, and effectiveness of space exploration when pursued by private entrepreneurs as opposed to government. The authors advocate market-driven, private initiatives take the lead through enhanced competition and significant resources that can be allocated to the exploration and exploitation of outer space. Space travel and colonisation is analysed through the prism of economic freedom and laissez faire capitalism, in a unique and accessible book.

Genres: Economics, Nonfiction

334 pages, Paperback

Published July 23, 2018

Reviews

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a broad sense, this book covers a few topics: first, what would be gained from colonizing various extraterrestrial objects according to what we know about them so far (such as other planets in our solar system, asteroids, comets, and the moon); second, speculation about how these environments may be made habitable for the humans living and working there; third, principles for how these resources could be homesteaded and divided up; fourth, why the only ethical route to achieving this is through the private sector without government involvement.

While this is a serious book, it's also got a sense of humour that will be instantly recognizable to anyone who has listened to interviews with Walter Block. It helps to keep the material from ever seeming dry.

If you're not a libertarian already, I hope this book will help you get there. The opening chapters especially, but also points made throughout the book, illustrate that governments simply cannot be trusted to do anything without directly causing human suffering, theft, and waste of resources on a massive scale. It also presents the preferable alternative of liberty and explains private property rights, self-ownership, and the Non-Aggression Principle.

The footnotes and citations are extensive, both in support of the libertarian viewpoint and in reference to the scientific material mentioned throughout.

[Eli Wiedrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting book on the possibilities of space exploration in the future based on economic concepts, and the case for free market exploration as opposed to state financed ones (and using the example of previous explorations across the planet in human history).