Biological weapons, though, may be able to propagate through a very wide territory, killing everyone within reach. We now have weapons of such sophistication that the elimination of our planet's biosphere is a real near-term possibility. To protect against such an event, we should seek to make humanity a multi-planetary species. Obviously, the most effective, most rapid, and most diverse approach to space settlement would be best. The free enterprise approach is precisely what we need.
Market forces foster diversity, allowing for multiple approaches to be developed simultaneously.
Market forces quickly eliminate ineffective activities while encouraging the proliferation of effective actions. In contrast, the centrally planned approach tends to bog down in corruption, ineffectiveness, and the tremendous difficulties of predicting the future consequences of current actions. Thus, the survival of humans as a species may well depend on our ability to unleash the forces of free enterprise on the opportunity of space achievement.