Both the U.S. and (the People’s Republic of) China are trying to establish the first lunar outposts, and it is possible that we will see lunar colonies within our lifetimes. When that happens, do you think there will be a movement towards independence, just as the colonies of Britain, France, Spain, etc. vyed for freedom? Would this be peaceful or violent, and how would either work? How realistic is an independent lunar nation, given the hostile living conditions? What would lunar culture look like? Would it be a mix of American and Chinese culture, or something new entirely?
Or do you think the Moon and other bodies in our Solar System will become internationally run (and protected) areas, a bit like how Antarctica is on Earth?
I like the setup for the Expanse, because it paints a very plausibly realistic future of how the movement to a solar species could turn out. Earth has the air humans need everywhere, and will always remain the birthplace of humanity and where to buy essentials for human life from. Mars has the potential to be turned back into a livable planet with enough scientific encouragement. The belt and outer planets is a source for ice(=water/air) and other useful materials both for sale to the inner planets, but essential for the outer regions, and the people here would naturally become a working class people. All in all it is a sad, but also fascinatingly plausible turn of events once beyond the moon is populated.