[rdouglass]

I agree that if there is no FTL communications, there would be local authority control. Without effective communications to govern colonies, no authority would realistically take place.

Has anyone read the two Frank Herbert books;'The Jesus Incident' and 'The Lazarus Effect'? (those are the titles if my memory serves me correct) 'Jesus Incident' was based around the concept of no FTL communications or travel and a ship named "Ship" (notice capital 'S' like capital 'G' in 'God'.) Ship went thruout the universe cloning humans from the genetic material on board and training these folks (with their inherited traits and abilities) to establish colonies. 'Lazarus Effect' was a book about the 'end results' of one of the colonies.

I won't spoil the books by telling the story, but the concept was an interesting twist on celestial 'seeding' of human colonies. A good read for SF fans IMO....