Finally, a petition would bind together disparate ideological factions with a concise statement of mutual goals. As a focal point of public attention, it could serve as the preamble to a book-length declaration, spelling out the idealistic vision of the pro-space movement. THE TEXT Drafting the resolution would be the single most important step in the petition drive because the few words chosen would be scrutinized by the media, the public, and the volunteers who would be asked to undertake the demanding task of gathering the signatures. (1) We, the undersigned citizens of the United States of America, being concerned about the continuing energy crisis, do hereby petition our Congress to make the development of a prototype Space Solar Power System a national priority. This hypothetical text, while stating the proposition as simply as possible, has the drawback of relying too heavily on a single technology, putting “too many eggs in one basket” by focusing debate on SPS instead of on the wider issue of space industrialization. The slightest tidbit of ambiguous or negative scientific evidence about the ecological aspect of SPS would then become fodder for the mass media. A broader approach would seem well advised: (2) We, the undersigned citizens of the Federal Republic of Germany, being concerned about the future of humanity in a finite world, do hereby petition our Bundestag to make the development of prototype space industries an international priority. Although less vulnerable to frivolous attack, might not such a bland wording fail because of apathy? Communicating a genuine sense of urgency, combined with a fervent explanation of the reasons for supporting SPS, would be more persuasive: (3) We, the undersigned citizens of Japan, being concerned about the environmental and economic consequences of continued reliance on coal, oil, and nuclear power, do hereby petition our Diet to make the development of a prototype Space Solar Power System an international priority. Or, (4) We, the undersigned citizens of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, being concerned that the arms race will bankrupt or destroy world civilization, do hereby petition our Supreme Soviet to propose an international treaty to divert spending on weaponry into a multinational program for the development of prototype space industries. Which version would be most likely to excite global interest? THE “EXTERNAL ISSUES” QUESTION At present, the pro-space movement is severely split between those who favor the development of orbital defense systems and those who would ban weapons from
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