Neoliberalism
Linda Billings
Abstract
Abstract “Neoliberalism: Problematic. Neoliberal Space Policy? Extremely Problematic” provides a critique of the neoliberal ideology of space exploration, which is dominant in US spaceflight culture. Neoliberal values (private property rights, “free enterprise,” and unlimited growth) are driving US spaceflight endeavors, whether they be public or private. This ideology sustains the US space policy goal of maintaining American space dominance. And it marginalizes the rights of other nations, as, according to the United Nations Treaty on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, “the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries and shall be the province of all humankind; that outer space shall be free for exploration and use by all states; and that outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.”