Entrepreneurs Building Autonomous Start-Up Cities To Create Zones of Liberty
12-28-2013, 03:24 AM
It's a lovely idea, but...
What if I am an eccentric billionaire and I decide to buy a bunch of amphibious vehicles and hire a bunch of mercenaries, and then invade your "start-up city" and hold everyone hostage until a hefty ransom is paid?
Who will defend you? The government of Honduras? The United States?
If the U.S. offers protection, then you have to offer something in return. In other words, you will have to become a client state of the U.S., just like Western Europe since 1945. Your start-up city may offer lower taxes, and a less intrusive government, but you will never be as free as you'd like.
The most important freedom a start-up city would have is the freedom to choose to become a client state of the U.S., or of Russia, or of China. There's always a feudal lord to serve.
What if I am an eccentric billionaire and I decide to buy a bunch of amphibious vehicles and hire a bunch of mercenaries, and then invade your "start-up city" and hold everyone hostage until a hefty ransom is paid?
Who will defend you? The government of Honduras? The United States?
If the U.S. offers protection, then you have to offer something in return. In other words, you will have to become a client state of the U.S., just like Western Europe since 1945. Your start-up city may offer lower taxes, and a less intrusive government, but you will never be as free as you'd like.
The most important freedom a start-up city would have is the freedom to choose to become a client state of the U.S., or of Russia, or of China. There's always a feudal lord to serve.
"The great secret of happiness in love is to be glad that the other fellow married her." – H.L. Mencken