This is plausible for *self-sufficient* colonies, but I'm not sure
otherwise.
>WHy? because the exchange of military might is for the most part, and in
>the strategic sense, a competition of cost effectiveness.
>... Being at the top of
>the gravity well with a large resource base puts you on top of the
>highest hill around with a huge store of ammo.
Sure, your cost of throwing rocks is lower. But your costs of all the
rest of your economy may be much higher.
Robin D. Hanson hanson@hss.caltech.edu http://hss.caltech.edu/~hanson/