Thanks a ton - fascinating. Since it is FR I can’t resist - a complete economic ecosystem with falling crime and residents wishing to stay - all with no official “governmentness”. Imagine, people figuring things out themselves without politicians pretending to know what they are doing. And the end, where the govt places no value on the windowless apartments and the owners saying screw that, we’ll stay, thank you.
You’re welcome and nice take.
Describing the walled city as lacking a government is not entirely accurate. Although there was no formal government, the illegal and quasi-illegal businesses there set and enforced rules and resolved disputes using gangs as hired muscle. In effect, the walled city was governed by gangsters.
Sounds a lot like the Luna City of The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.