Abstract
Our research project began several years ago, with the motivation of applying cosmopolitan theoretical thinking to the practical space politics of a nation state. We began with planetary defense as a case study, then added space mining, as we believed that profits made in space could one day fund global projects related to global security.
This went well, as our Ministry of Transport (responsible for the space sector in Czechia) agreed that such mining has the potential to boost national industry. At that time, ideas about global taxation were still in the realm of dreams, and discussion over space mining were focused on how to be the first to grab the most.
As we were finishing the book, G7+G20 accepted the unprecedented global taxation regime for international corporations, and space community scholars were openly talking about the need for global (launch) tax to clear in-orbit debris with the support of economic studies proving its necessity. The ongoing Starlink deployment and the surge of close proximities between satellites only proved the case.
The dynamics surrounding orbital debris led to the idea of adding other breakthrough scientific projects to our research, and especially the laser technologies on which the Czech Republic has historically had a strong focus. The question of how to govern such cases from the perspective of a small state the size of the Czech Republic very quickly transformed into a question about how small states in general can 1) deploy large, security-sensitive technical systems such as high-power lasers, with possible implications to global security despite their civilian purpose in deorbiting debris or in accelerating nano-probes to relative speeds, 2) influence the legal debate over space mining and participate in possible industrial opportunities related to space mining and 3) participate in planetary defense efforts or be assured that planetary defense policies will cover their territory if the space powers decide to act.
The central question was how all these space policies could be governed in a cosmopolitan way and how small states could be active in such discussions. By the end of the project, we had found several enlightened people in the state administration and political sphere who would play key roles in triggering certain policies.
However, as one would expect, we also found a lot of people deeply convinced that their realist perspective of the world reflects the world as it is. We would like to dedicate this book especially to those skeptics, because the concept of the responsible cosmopolitan state is not about cosmopolitan utopian visions, but about a very tangible policy approach driven by values built on political reality.
The policies we discuss here are inspired by our reading of the responsible cosmopolitan state concept and are realizable by those who can find the courage, have some imagination, and are determined to lead others in transforming the world into a better place.