[RightWhale]

Batman is actually the owner of the city. The old homestead. Private property, tenants pay rent and bad guys get tossed out.

[Destro]

There is something in viewing Batman - old blue blood family - viewing Gotham as his feudal estate and the people as his serfs - he is after all the "Dark Knight" - though Batman does not take a percentage of their labor as compensation nor does he get first crack at the virgin brides (beyond his playboy image).