> To put it differently: If conflict were to break out in some region of the universe, could the relevant governing authorities respond soon enough for it to ma

> To put it differently: If conflict were to break out in some region of the universe, could the relevant governing authorities respond soon enough for it to matter, for it to make a difference? Surely the relevant governing authorities in this case would be local - each planet or station analogous to a country rather than a region? It wouldn't make sense to try to "govern" from light years away.