Maritime and Outer Spatial Fixation

This chapter provides a detailed discussion of the concept of spatial fixing and its relationship to the capitalist system that directs the global economy. It centres upon its application to the maritime sector whereby the process of globalisation that has been occurring with increasing pace over the past 1000 years reflects capitalism’s desire to find new markets. However, this process cannot go on forever despite capitalism’s need for just this to happen as the resources of the globe are finite. The exploitation of new territories by the maritime sector is an example of spatial fixation but once these territories are exhausted then capitalism needs to look elsewhere and an inexhaustible location in which to fix capital is provided by outer space through investment and resource exploitation. The circuits of capital are outlined and their relationship to space-time compression is discussed in addition to a consideration of commodification for both the maritime and outer space sectors. The role of the state and private sector is discussed along with the significance of the ‘commons’. The chapter concludes with a discussion on blockchains and resource exploitation including space tourism and the role of governance in each sector.