- #31
pallidin
- 2,207
- 3
To address this question, one first needs to look at the authority and boundaries of the institution(the UN in this case) remanded with governing this issue. Then one needs to look at what constitutes legal property ownership.
It could be agreed that, for example, the UN has potential legal authority with matters concerning the Earth; conditional upon adjudication from the World Court in select matters.
It should be noted that the UN consists of participating member nations, and if you are a citizen of a member nation you are legally bound in the eyes of the UN to abide by their determinations. A citizen is a "national" of a country. So, to suggest that a private citizen of a member country is not bound to issues regarding "national appropriation" is not correct.
But let's look at "boundary authority" Should the UN have "authority" over the immediate space surrounding the earth, including our moon? I would say yes.
This surrounding area is "strategic", meaning that free-for-all occupation and technological deployment can potentially, significantly, alter the socio-political security of Earth as well as create numerous hazards for other "occupants" So, this area must be "governed" and controlled. Due to global potential, the reasonable authority should be remanded with a global governing entity; and the UN is such an entity.
Therefore, individual "ownership" of our moon is a ludicrous and preposterous idea, regardless of how the original/subsequent treaty lanquage was written.
The overiding point is this: As a strategic world asset recognized by the UN, "ownership" of the moon in any form is inherently illegal and void.
A second point is this: A mere "claim" of celestial rights does NOT afford the rights. Just because the "claim" was received and filed by the UN means nothing other than the fact that it was received and filed.
I could submit a claim to the UN for title rights of the galaxy of Andromeda, and it "might" even be received and filed, but DOES NOT actually grant me ANY rights; rather it just grants me recognition of having filed the "claim", nothing more. I repeat... NOTHING MORE.
All property claims must go through a final "approval" process within the governing authority in order to actually issue a title deed. A title deed is required before ownership is recognized and for subdivision to be legal. The governing authority for the moon is the UN, and they have NEVER issued any title deeds for the moon.
It could be agreed that, for example, the UN has potential legal authority with matters concerning the Earth; conditional upon adjudication from the World Court in select matters.
It should be noted that the UN consists of participating member nations, and if you are a citizen of a member nation you are legally bound in the eyes of the UN to abide by their determinations. A citizen is a "national" of a country. So, to suggest that a private citizen of a member country is not bound to issues regarding "national appropriation" is not correct.
But let's look at "boundary authority" Should the UN have "authority" over the immediate space surrounding the earth, including our moon? I would say yes.
This surrounding area is "strategic", meaning that free-for-all occupation and technological deployment can potentially, significantly, alter the socio-political security of Earth as well as create numerous hazards for other "occupants" So, this area must be "governed" and controlled. Due to global potential, the reasonable authority should be remanded with a global governing entity; and the UN is such an entity.
Therefore, individual "ownership" of our moon is a ludicrous and preposterous idea, regardless of how the original/subsequent treaty lanquage was written.
The overiding point is this: As a strategic world asset recognized by the UN, "ownership" of the moon in any form is inherently illegal and void.
A second point is this: A mere "claim" of celestial rights does NOT afford the rights. Just because the "claim" was received and filed by the UN means nothing other than the fact that it was received and filed.
I could submit a claim to the UN for title rights of the galaxy of Andromeda, and it "might" even be received and filed, but DOES NOT actually grant me ANY rights; rather it just grants me recognition of having filed the "claim", nothing more. I repeat... NOTHING MORE.
All property claims must go through a final "approval" process within the governing authority in order to actually issue a title deed. A title deed is required before ownership is recognized and for subdivision to be legal. The governing authority for the moon is the UN, and they have NEVER issued any title deeds for the moon.