In the fictional universe of *The Expanse*, praxeological consistency—i.e., adherence to principles of human action, voluntary exchange, and non-aggression—can be analyzed through the lens of the show’s major factions. Austrian praxeology, as defined by Ludwig von Mises, emphasizes purposeful human behavior and the rejection of coercive interference in voluntary interactions. With that framework, the most praxeologically consistent group would likely be **the anarcho-libertarian Belter collectives** and certain factions within the **Outer Planets Alliance (OPA)**, though this depends on how strictly one interprets "consistency." Here’s a breakdown:
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### **1. The Belters (and OPA Radicals)**
- **Autonomy and Self-Reliance**:
Belters, born in the asteroid belt and outer moons, operate in an environment where survival depends on decentralized cooperation, barter, and mutual aid. Their societal structure often rejects centralized authority (Earth/Mars) in favor of localized, voluntary agreements.
- Example: Ceres Station’s early governance (pre-Earth/Mars control) relied on ad-hoc systems of trade and resource-sharing among families and work collectives.
- **Anti-Coercion Stance**:
Many Belter factions (e.g., **Dawes’ faction**, **Anderson Station survivors**) explicitly reject Earth and Mars’ oppressive regulations, taxes, and military interventions. Their resistance aligns with praxeology’s emphasis on voluntary interaction.
- Weakness: Groups like **Marco Inaros’ Free Navy** use violence to achieve independence, violating the non-aggression principle by targeting civilians (e.g., asteroid attacks on Earth).
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### **2. The Anarchist Collectives**
- **Ceres and Tycho Station**:
Before being co-opted by Earth corporations or the OPA, stations like Ceres functioned as quasi-anarchist hubs where labor unions, gangs, and families negotiated rules without centralized governance. This mirrors real-world anarcho-capitalist models of emergent order.
- Praxeological Fit: Transactions were based on mutual need (e.g., water rationing, air taxes) and informal contracts.
- **Libertarian Fringe of the OPA**:
Factions like **Fred Johnson’s Tycho Station** (pre-centralization) or **Drummer’s polyamorous crew** emphasize voluntary association, rejecting top-down control. Their focus on trade (e.g., supplying the Belt with resources) aligns with Misesian ideas of entrepreneurial action.
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### **3. The Transport Union (Post-Free Navy Conflict)**
- **Voluntary Association for Mutual Benefit**:
After the events of *Leviathan Falls*, the Transport Union emerges as a decentralized coalition of ship crews and stations that coordinate shipping lanes and conflict resolution without coercion.
- Praxeological Angle: Participation is voluntary, and the Union’s authority derives from consensus (like a mutual defense pact), not imposed hierarchy.
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### **Contenders with Caveats**
- **Mars (Pre-Collapse)**:
Mars’ disciplined, meritocratic society initially seems aligned with rational choice theory, but its militarized central planning (e.g., terraforming quotas, conscription) violates praxeological principles.
- **Earth’s Libertarian Blocs**:
Earth has billionaire "freedom zones" (hinted at in the books) where ultra-rich individuals evade UN governance. However, these enclaves rely on exploiting Belt labor/resources, violating the non-aggression principle.
- **The Laconian Empire**:
High levels of centralization and coercion disqualify them entirely.
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### **Final Answer**
The **anarchist Belter collectives** (e.g., early Ceres, Anderson Station survivors) and **non-aggressive OPA factions** (e.g., Drummer’s crew) are the most praxeologically consistent. They prioritize voluntary cooperation, reject coercive authority, and adapt to scarcity through emergent, decentralized systems—echoing Mises’ emphasis on human action as purposeful behavior in a world of limited resources.
However, no group in *The Expanse* is perfectly consistent, as survival in a harsh, politicized universe often requires compromise (e.g., accepting violence for defense). The Belters’ struggle mirrors real-world debates about whether libertarian principles can scale without coercion—a tension the series explores brilliantly.