Gravitation and the local symmetry group of space-time (Q1610703)

It is argued that the local symmetry group of general relativity cannot be the whole Poincaré group but only the Lorentz group. The analysis is based on the relation existing between the dynamical energy-momentum tensor and the total angular-momentum tensor. The two tensors are not independent quantities because the translational gauge and the spin connection are not independent either. It is concluded that the fundamental field of gravitation is the spin connection and not the tetrad. Equivalently, this means that the relevant local symmetry group behind general relativity is provided by the Lorentz group.