[nickjarboe]

I agree independent space stations make more sense than anywhere but maybe Mars. Using small, near-Earth asteroids for bulk resources at first seems likely. But for political autonomy, near Earth is unlikely. Earth's political systems will have a high incentive to have some control over massive objects moving very fast near the planet.

[Arizhel]

They don't have to be that near Earth. Just nearer than the outer planets, the asteroid belt, probably Mars, etc.

Besides, if it's strategically placed, it could easily threaten Earth with kinetic projectiles if Earth's political systems attempt to take control of it. Military units inside a deep gravity well have an enormous disadvantage to those outside the gravity well.