Governance of the Global and Extra-Terrestrial Commons

Book excerpt: This book provides a unique analysis of the complex relationship between governance and the global commons. It has a specific reference to the dynamic and growing outer space economy and society, and how experience in the maritime sector (which exhibits many of the same issues and challenges as outer space) can be useful in suggesting moves forward in policy-making and design. This book fills a large gap in the literature of both governance and the development of outer space. Whilst the maritime sector has a long history of debate, albeit little in terms of governance and policy-making, outer space has much less and what there has been, commonly focused upon technical considerations. The importance of this book is that the failures of maritime governance need to be avoided in the outer space sector which exhibits many of the same issues particularly those related to the global commons. Innovative and exciting, this book will be of interest to academics studying corporate governance, business management, and space capitalism. Michael Roe holds the Chair of Maritime and Logistics Governance at the University of Plymouth, UK. He previously worked with the Greater London Council and the Universities of Aston, Coventry, London Metropolitan and the University of London (City). The author of over 70 refereed journal papers and 16 books, he specialises in Eastern European maritime policy and the wider governance of maritime affairs. .