In Search of Global Security: Everett C. Dolman’s Astropolitik and Daniel Deudney’s Dark Skies

ABSTRACT This essay is a conceptual and historical critique of the astropolitical proposals for global security in Everett C. Dolman’s Astropolitik: Classical Geopolitics in the Space Age (2002) and Daniel Deudney’s Dark Skies: Space Expansionism, Planetary Geopolitics, and the Ends of Humanity (2020). It focuses on the divergent views on space weaponization and world political order presented by the two authors. It reflects on previous critique of their work, examines strengths and weaknesses in their arguments, and highlights their shared common ground. The essay places their debate in a historical context by tracing the origins of the concept of space superiority and the Outer Space Treaty, and considers their ideas in relation to U.S. space policy in the 21st century. The critique concludes that the proposals advanced by both authors are problematic. In response, it suggests a rapprochement in the form of a United Nations Space Agency and Space Guard.