Public Goods in a Stateless Society: Exploring the Austrian School's Theory Through Kowloon Walled City
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: This paper examines the case of Kowloon Walled City, using it as a practical demonstration of the Austrian School's a priori theoretical framework while refuting the mainstream economic view that government intervention is necessary to supply public goods and maximize welfare. Kowloon Walled City, which existed as an anarchic enclave until its demolition in 1993, offers a compelling example of how a community can meet its collective needs—ranging from property protection to social services and sanitation—without governmental oversight. The residents achieved comprehensive satisfaction through voluntary cooperation, fully exercising their rights to person and property. This analysis contributes to the broader discussion of public goods provision, a fundamental source of government legitimacy, and argues that government intervention often proves less efficient than non-intervention, highlighting the relevance of Austrian economic theory in practical settings.
Author: Zetian Fang
Institution: Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics
Language: English
Subfield: Economics and Econometrics
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4405819550