[Taz-in-Space]

How would an Interplanetary Society function?

I guess that would depend upon how long it took for communications to travel about that society.

For example, if there was a lag of hours/days or days/weeks for communications/travel between planets, you would certainly have to have a LOT of local authority. Whereas, in the case of near instantaneous communication/travel, a more centralized authority would be possible.

Also are there hostile elements out there on the fringes? That would tend to favor a centralized authority as well...