The Power of the Space Club

This book analyses the decisions of nations to develop indigenous space programs in order to become a leading world power.

Deganit Paikowsky (Author)

9781107194496, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 20 July 2017

244 pages, 4 b/w illus. 7 tables
23.7 x 16 x 2 cm, 0.53 kg

'Paikowsky has made an excellent foray into the theorization of astropolitical prestige in international relations. This book is a welcome addition to the nascent field of astropolitics in IR, and demonstrates that astropolitics is the continuation of terran politics by other means.' Bleddyn E. Bowen, International Affairs

Why do nation states choose to develop national space programs? How can they justify national efforts to acquire capabilities by arguing for membership of the space club? This book provides a unique perspective of the past, current and future of space exploration and technological development in world politics. A country that sees itself as a power deserving of a seat at the table of world governance is expected to race for space. Based on a rich and detailed analysis of a range of space programs of states which are not usually at the focus of world politics and its research, the author shows that joining the space club is a legitimate and rational decision. The book provides a different way of looking at international relations, through a relatively under-studied area of policy - the space club.

List of figures
List of tables
Acknowledgments
1. Introduction
2. Nation-state clubs in world politics
3. The evolution of the space club
4. A multilateral race for space club membership
5. France and Britain
6. Canada and Australia
7. India and Israel
8. The space club in the post-Cold War era
9. Conclusions and future directions
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Space science [TTD], International institutions [JPSN], International relations [JPS], Political science & theory [JPA]