In the vigorous academic debate over the risks of the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence (SETI) and active Messaging ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence (ETI) (METI), a significant factor has been largely overlooked. Specifically, the risk of merely detecting an alien signal from passive SETI activity is usually considered to be negligible. The history of international relations viewed through the lens of the realpolitik tradition of realist political thought suggests, however, that there is a measurable risk of conflict over the perceived benefit of monopoly access to ETI communication channels. This possibility needs to be considered when analyzing the potential risks and benefits of contact with ETI.

在有关搜寻外星智能（SETI）和活动消息外星智能（ETI）（METI）的风险的激烈学术辩论中，一个重要因素已被大大忽略。具体而言，通常认为仅从被动SETI活动中检测到外来信号的风险就可以忽略不计。但是，从现实主义政治思想的现实政治传统的角度来看，国际关系的历史表明，垄断对ETI通讯渠道的好处给人们带来了可衡量的冲突风险。在分析与ETI接触的潜在风险和收益时，需要考虑这种可能性。