John Deming's "Blueprint for a Spacefaring Civilization: The Science of Volition" introduces volitional science, a revolutionary approach to understanding social dynamics. It argues that current societal structures, built on coercion, are inherently flawed and put the future of humanity at existential risk. The book proposes a new social structure based on the principles of noncoercion, property rights, and free markets, which are essential for economic growth, lasting progress, and the development of a spacefaring civilization.
The book emphasizes the following key themes:
- Volitional Science: This new science, originally developed by Andrew Galambos from the roots of classical liberalism and Austrian economics, is based on the idea that humans are "volitional beings" capable of reason and purposeful action, with free will and the ability to make choices.
- The Critical Juncture: This is the point in history when humanity developed the physical science to destroy itself with nuclear weapons, but not the social science to prevent it. Surviving this juncture requires a new understanding of social order.
- Absolute Morality. The idea is that all human beings have certain inalienable rights. These include the right to life, liberty, and property. Volitional science argues that a just society is one in which these rights are protected.
- Property Rights: The book emphasizes the importance of property rights, including a new theory of compensation for intellectual property. It argues that recognizing and protecting intellectual property is key to fostering innovation and progress.
- The Role of Markets: Markets are seen as the only social system capable of open-ended growth. The book argues that free markets, driven by voluntary interactions, are essential for technological advancement and the creation of a spacefaring civilization.
- The Fallacy of the State: Political states are inherently coercive and ultimately fail to achieve their intended goals. Blueprint presents an alternative based on noncoercive governance and entrepreneurial solutions to social problems.
As you learn more about the science of volition, you will discover:
- A system for fairly valuing a wide range of property, ensuring creators benefit from their contributions.
- How to register, protect, and license intellectual property in ways that accelerate scientific and technological innovation.
- Why market-driven systems are the only kind of social system capable of generating the resources needed for stabilized, durable growth.
- How market mechanisms can gradually replace coercive government with effective forms of noncoercive, proprietary governments.
- How noncoercion creates the conditions for breakthrough innovations and sustained prosperity.
The book argues that by understanding and applying these principles, humanity can create a just, prosperous, and enduring civilization capable of expanding into the cosmos. It offers a detailed blueprint for achieving this, including new theories of compensation, property rights, and business structures. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in driving progress and the need for a societal shift toward noncoercion and respect for property rights.
