Abstract
The cooperative global governance of space settlements is one of the main challenges that space-faring nations and private actors face. Relying on a liberal-institutionalist understanding of global governance, and a qualitative review of existing and evolving space law, this thesis identifies the governance prerequisites that have to be met to secure the peaceful and cooperative exploration and settlement of the Moon in particular. The emergence of well-resourced private actors and the absence of clear-cut governance principles and rules make this a particular challenge. The thesis analyses the challenges related to property rights, resource management, and the implementation of safety zones that arise from establishing human settlements on the Moon. Using the Breaking Ground Lunar Resources Trust as a case study, it shows that unencumbered norm-entrepreneurs, in cooperation with both state and private actors, have an important role to play in developing the appropriate principles and rules than can guide the further exploration and settlement of the Moon. The conclusion that this research reaches is that the international global governance prerequisites for establishing human settlements on the Moon are multifaceted and require a comprehensive and coordinated approach to international governance and space law anchored in a liberal institutionalist approach. The research findings suggest liberal institutionalism, the role of private initiatives, the central role of resource management policies, and the necessity of using a flexible approach to governance are all essential elements that must be considered in the development of future lunar settlements governance regimes.