Although seeking broad-based benefit from space activity has been an objective of international space policy and a principle of international space law since the first decade of the space age, the concept of benefit irrespective of the beneficiary’s degree of economic or scientific development may be emerging as a pathway to political support for the growing entrepreneurial interest in pursuing commercial activities beyond Earth’s atmosphere. After a brief review of the concept’s history in policy and law, this article will explore the role it might play in building broad political support for off-Earth commerce.