The Universe - or Nothing Part 56

Do a.s.sert and declare in this pet.i.tion the intrinsic value of a set of First Principles for the Governance of Outer s.p.a.ce Societies and, at the beginning of this third century of nationhood under our Const.i.tution, resolutely urge all people of the United Sates of America to acknowledge, accept and apply such First Principles as hereinafter set forth.

ARTICLE I

The rule of law and the fundamental values embodied in the United States Const.i.tution shall apply to all individuals living in outer s.p.a.ce societies under United States jurisdiction.

Appropriate constraints upon and limitations of authority shall be defined so as to protect the personal freedom of each individual, such as the right to reasonable privacy, freedom from self-incrimination, freedom from unreasonable intrusion, search and seizure, and freedom from cruel and unusual punishment.

Toward this end, the imperatives of community safety and individual survival within the unique environment of outer s.p.a.ce shall be guaranteed in harmony with the exercise of such fundamental individual rights of speech, religion, a.s.sociation, a.s.sembly, contract, travel to, in and from outer s.p.a.ce, media and communications, as well as the rights of pet.i.tion, informed consent and private owners.h.i.+p of property.

The principles set forth here should not be construed to exclude any other such rights possessed by individuals.

ARTICLE II

Authority in outer s.p.a.ce societies, exercised under principles of representative government appropriate to the circ.u.mstances and degree of community development, shall reflect the will of the people of those societies.

All pet.i.tions to the United States Government from outer s.p.a.ce societies under its jurisdiction shall be accepted and receive prompt consideration.

The United States shall provide for an orderly and peaceful transition to self-governance by outer s.p.a.ce societies under its jurisdiction at such times as their inhabitants shall manifest clearly a belief that such transition is both necessary and appropriate.

In response to aggression, threats of aggression or hostile actions, outer s.p.a.ce societies may provide for their common defense and for the maintenance of essential public order.

Outer s.p.a.ce societies shall a.s.sume all rights and obligations set forth in treaties and international agreements, relevant to the activities of such societies, to which the United States is a party and which further freedom, peace and security.

The advancement of science and technology shall be encouraged in outer s.p.a.ce societies for the benefit of all humanity.

Outer s.p.a.ce societies shall protect from abuse the environment and natural resources of Earth and s.p.a.ce.

End quote.

Core Principles drafted at the First Solar Conference on the Relations.h.i.+ps between the United Inner Planetary System (UIPS) and the Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR)

Preamble

In order to:

Create and foster political, societal, economic, and cultural environments throughout the Solar System which will preclude or minimize acts of international and inter-regional aggression, economic warfare, cultural disruption, and other forms of active hostility between the United Inner Planetary System (UIPS) and, separately and collectively, Independent Nations of the Outer Region (INOR);

Establish the framework for peaceful coexistence within which all Nations respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of each other;

Recognize the mutuality of interests among all peoples and Governments of the Solar System in sharing the benefits of The Interstellar Mining and Teleport System; and

Prepare for and extend the human experience into interstellar s.p.a.ce and toward the coming Interstellar Era.

We agree to the following:

ARTICLE ONE

We reject and renounce economic, cultural and military warfare, and the threat of warfare to attain national and regional objectives. We will settle all disagreements and disputes through peaceful means.

ARTICLE TWO

We affirm that the peoples of all nations, states, colonies, settlements, communities, howsoever they may be designated now and in the future throughout the Solar System and, eventually throughout the Interstellar Realm, have ecological unity. Their harmony is such that none are truly independent of the others.

ARTICLE THREE

We affirm that the Solar System is the common heritage of humankind, and all the resources of the Solar System, now and in perpetuity, are part of that common heritage. We agree that each Government representing the people of a planet, satellite, independent s.p.a.ce ent.i.ty or a legally const.i.tuted part and collective thereof, is ent.i.tled to its fair share of the natural resources originating within the Solar System or acquired from other star systems. Such resources will be available, proportionately, from the Common Reserve in conformance with a nation's or government's verified needs and technological capabilities to utilize the resources for peaceful and beneficial purposes.

ARTICLE FOUR

In furtherance of ARTICLE ONE, we most solemnly declare that continuance of organized military forces by any Government of the Solar System can serve no useful purpose. We manifestly recognize that the existence of military ma.s.s destruction weapons and their supporting agencies and facilities increase the likelihood of their utilization to resolve differences or jurisdictional disputes, with consequent harm to human life, properties, and civilizations. We, independently and collectively, agree, without reservations except for the EXCLUSION stated in this ARTICLE, to the phased reduction of all military s.p.a.cecraft, weapons, facilities, personnel training and other support systems and technologies to the point of their complete elimination not more than five Solar Standard Years from the date affixed to this Declaration of Principles.

EXCLUSION

We exclude from this ARTICLE specified accords which are, or will be, required by a legally const.i.tuted Government to exercise normal internal constabulary powers and authority on, and in s.p.a.ce contiguous to, their planet, satellite, independent community or zone, and between and among Governments, as mutually agreed to among the Parties concerned. The UIPS and INOR will be kept informed of such constabulary agreements prior to implementation and their views considered.

ARTICLE FIVE

We recognize that precise delineation's of spatial jurisdictions are essential for the orderly processes of government. We agree that jurisdictions to be defined and delineated include:

a. the outer limits of any one nation's spatial control and administration. Such delineation shall take into account the irrevocable right and obligation of any Government which exercises legitimate influence or control over a non-hazardous natural or artificial planet, satellite, planetoid, s.p.a.ce station, outpost, spunnel node, link, net or booster; transiting comet, asteroid, meteor swarm, planetary or satellite ring, or other astrophysical body to ensure absence of human interference to that body's or phenomenon's free and unenc.u.mbered pa.s.sage through that Government's spatial jurisdiction.

b. control and operation of s.p.a.ce communications booster, relay, and terminal stations and their supporting research, development, manufacturing, and logistics systems and technologies. The intent of this delineation is standardized and economically operated and serviced conventional and hypers.p.a.ce communications systems throughout the Solar System and in interstellar s.p.a.ce.

c. traffic control, flight safety, and management of UIPS and INOR approved inter-regional, interplanetary, inter-satellite and other s.p.a.ce-ways. Acceptance of responsibilities shall not exceed the Party's existing technologies, resources and capabilities.

ARTICLE SIX

We commit our Governments to accept financial, fiduciary, material and technological a.s.sessments for our utilization of the common s.p.a.ce-ways. We agree that these a.s.sessments are for the purpose of defraying the expenditures of any one Government toward maintaining and upgrading those common s.p.a.ce and traffic management systems that fall within their borders, or other mutually agreed upon jurisdictions, and for performing such services for the common good as:

a. removal of hazards to innocent pa.s.sage;

b. traffic control;

c. search and rescue;

d. acquisition, deployment, operation and servicing of communications and navigational aids;