Social Cohersion in Orbit

--- In ssi_list@... "Andrew Wynberg"
> IMHO, the US war against imperial rule was so successful because
the 13
> colonies were able to band together against a common enemy, who was
> geographically distant, and had plenty of rivals in Europe to keep
them
> occupied. I don't think that this will occur for the orbital
habitats, as
> there won't be a common enemy, although they will be far away, and
will have
> enemies to keep them busy.

OK, let me modify my scenario a bit. Let's say all of the Habitats
are Amercian borne, put up in concert by the Gov't, Corporations,
and now much of the interior land is owned by the citizens, with
most of the economic assets still controlled by the corps.

Taking liberty with your above historical record, and paraphrasing
it into this:

IMHO, the Habitat war against US and Corporate rule was so
successful because the 13 colonies were able to band together
against a common enemy, who was geographically distant, and had
plenty of rivals in Europe (and the rest of the world) to keep them
occupied.

Why paint this scenario? Well, i think that there is a very good
chance of a divergence of interests. The US and Corporate parents
will be looking to maximize benefits for their citizens and
shareholders, whereas orbital citizens will be looking to keep as
much wealth in orbit and develop matters there.

Whnat to take a shot at this scenario?

TangoMan :)

For colonies to join into a Union, there has to
> be some value in them doing so, and having a common foe or
opportunity will
> help. More likely, if the Earth were to fall into political
chaos, there
> would be a stronger cause for the habitats to band together.
>
> The Federation of Australia was formed by the colonies agreeing,
albeit
> temporarily, that uniting to form a single economy and military
was a better
> strategy in an environment where the mother country might be less
able to
> help us in a time of crisis.
>
> > Let's assume that after the orbital habitatation model gets going
> > that many nations will embark on efforts to establish their own
> > habitats.
> >
> > Over time do you think that the competing habitats will start to
> > identify more with each other than their host countries?
> >
> > Will they coalesce into a Union of some sort or will the inertia
of
> > cultural baggage and social systems transplanted from each
country