Interesting article, but I didn't care for the pointless bashing in the second paragraph. The author establishes that the "space colonization supporters" are mostly Americans, then bashes them for not being supportive of the Russian and Chinese space programs by saying the Americans don't like the fact that the Russians and Chinese "don't look like them". There's no reason to assume a racist or xenophobic attitude here; American space proponents simply want their own country to recover the glory and sense of adventure it had in the 60s.
As an American, I'm perfectly happy to see other countries sending up manned missions, and I'm grateful for the continued existence of the Russian space program which we've depended upon for both active support and the long years of space station research. I just hope that the United States continues to be a participant in space exploration, rather than an observer.
Post summary:
Space colonization is implicitly incompatible with libertarian ideology because I say so. Facts, logical thought, proof, etc not needed, it's true because I say so.
If you buy into his "libertarianism == no dependence on social organization" and "space colonization == absolute dependence on social organization" than he's right. The latter statement seems likely to be true, but I don't think the former is. Libertarians aren't anarchists, and the beginnings of commercial space exploration that we're seeing today suggests that libertarian-friendly support for space colonies may be possible.
It does seem like a false dichotomy. Sure, it's just fiction, but doesn't Heinlein's "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" illustrate how fiercely independent space colonists could work together to survive and even thrive?
As an American, I'm perfectly happy to see other countries sending up manned missions, and I'm grateful for the continued existence of the Russian space program which we've depended upon for both active support and the long years of space station research. I just hope that the United States continues to be a participant in space exploration, rather than an observer.