When human colonies are established in outer space, their relationship with Earth will be very important for their well-being. Initially, they’re likely to be dependent on Earth. Like settler colonies on Earth, they may grow to desire independence over time. Drawing on history and research on social group identities from social psychology, researchers should attempt to understand the kind of group identities likely to arise in independent colonies. As colonies grow they’ll inevitably form independent group identities, but depending on relationships with social groups back home, these identities could support links with Earth or create antagonistic relationships with them. Attitudes on Earth might also vary from supportive, exclusionary, or even prejudiced. Better understanding intergroup relations between Earth powers and their settler colonies off-world could help us develop equitable governance structures that promote peace and cooperation between groups.
Group psychology in space
Space governance
When human colonies are established in outer space, their relationship with Earth will be very important for their well-being. Initially, they’re likely to be dependent on Earth. Like settler colonies on Earth, they may grow to desire independence over time. Drawing on history and research on social group identities from social psychology, researchers should attempt to understand the kind of group identities likely to arise in independent colonies. As colonies grow they’ll inevitably form independent group identities, but depending on relationships with social groups back home, these identities could support links with Earth or create antagonistic relationships with them. Attitudes on Earth might also vary from supportive, exclusionary, or even prejudiced. Better understanding intergroup relations between Earth powers and their settler colonies off-world could help us develop equitable governance structures that promote peace and cooperation between groups.
Would mostly apply to bunkers too!