If humanity survives long enough to develop trade between planets, its merchant vessels could face protection problems resembling those of East Indiamen. Long journeys beyond reliable government enforcement help explain the appeal of armed traders and privately organized convoys. The Trade Federation in Star Wars supplies a fictional comparison with a powerful trading organization. This is speculation about a possible future, grounded in the historical problem of who protects distant commerce.
Notable Point · 17:55-18:48
East Indiamen as a model for armed space commerce
A conditional comparison with future space trade uses East Indiamen and Star Wars to examine protection beyond reliable state enforcement.