the earliest interstellar travel is slower than light;
the earliest extra-solar colonies are in space stations, not on planetary surfaces;
wealth generated from raw materials in other planetary systems is transported to Earth;
however, the balance of economic power shifts away from Earth when, first, life-bearing planets and, secondly, a means of faster than light travel are discovered;
Earth retaliates by taxing interstellar trade;
this generates armed conflict.
We recognize familiar ideas in unfamiliar combinations.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I am not sure I find Cherryh's scenario very plausible. I am unsure how Earth can tax people and their businesses and operations if they moved away from the Old Planet. Earth can only tax people and their businesses if they lived and operated within its domain. Or by taxing imports. And all that importers need to do is tack on the cost of the tariffs into the prices of their imports. Would that end up making imports too costly for many to buy?
Ad astra! Sean
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