From the commercialisation and militarisation of space activities to calls for space colonisation, space advocates have been influential in pushing for the expansion of human activities in outer space. The lecture examines these space activities from a critical perspective, highlighting that one of the most important consequences of space activities is the increasing likelihood of nuclear war. It also asks whether space expansionism poses multiple threats to humanity at a time when our focus should be on how we can utilise space assets for solving Earth problems.
Meet the speaker
Daniel Deudney is a Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Johns Hopkins University. He has written extensively on international theory, political theory and global issues: nuclear, space, environment and energy. His book Bounding Power: Republican Security from the Polis to the Global Village received the 'Book of the Decade' award from the International Studies Association. His most recent book is Dark Skies: Space Expansionism, Planetary Geopolitics and the Ends of Humanity.
More information about the event
This lecture is organised as a part of LSE IDEAS' new Space Policy project.
Event hashtag: #LSESpace
LSE IDEAS (@lseideas) is LSE's foreign policy think tank. Through sustained engagement with policymakers and opinion-formers, IDEAS provides a forum that informs policy debate and connects academic research with the practice of diplomacy and strategy.