Description
This paper compares the strategies of modern corporations for outer space colonization and governance with historical examples of similar efforts in colonial ventures of the past. It does so with a focus on the institutional structure proposed by modern corporations for governing their interplanetary colonies. These are characterized by heavily idealistic and often libertarian ideals of self-government, often eschewing the authority of Earth-based states. These models will be compared with corporate colonies that that existed in various forms during Europe’s colonial period. This paper will analyze these cases from a neoinstituionalist lens and will offer useful insights as to what can be expected if these proposed corporate colonies do indeed become reality in coming years.
