Emerging Trends of Neo-Colonialism on Earth and the Future of Space Law

The future of outer space and space law is closely related to the newly developing wave of neo-colonialism on earth. The increasing impact of major power relations, resource driven agendas and with this transformation in global geopolitics, world has seen populist leaders such as Donald Trump emerge in the United States, which means that much of mankind’s colonization in space will be shaped by these factors that are discretely happening on earth. This paper contends that as emerging geopolitical dynamics and the expansion of corporate entities in space alter the prospects for outer space and space law, there are also new challenges. The historical neo-colonial behavioral patterns on earth have increased the risk of “space colonialism”. Such practices threaten peaceful and sustainable exploration of space for all. The study looks at the weaknesses of current space law, particularly the Outer Space Treaty; resource exploration, the activities of the private sector i.e. non state actors and conflict prevention. It calls for a legal framework which is both robust and accommodating of the increasing participation by private actors, protecting equitable access to space resources and preventing this from being monopolized by just a few. The paper explores the need for international cooperation, innovative public private governance models and new mechanisms of law to manage resources to protect the environment and resolve conflicts. It emphasizes the need for perspectives from developing countries to be taken into account, to ensure that benefits are equitably shared and not widening already existing global inequalities. Finally, this paper calls for a multidisciplinary approach which combines perspectives from international relations with those of space law so that all humans can look forward to a time when development in outer space is peaceful, sustainable and fair.