Billionaires Plan Private Cities, Raising Questions About Governance and Society
Billionaires are increasingly investing in the development of private cities around the world, with notable projects like Forest City in Malaysia and Prospera in Honduras. These cities are being designed as 'society-as-a-service' hubs, offering amenities such as coworking spaces and office pods for a monthly fee. Former Coinbase CTO Balaji Srinivasan has described this trend as an 'ultimate exit' from the perceived failures of the United States, suggesting a movement towards creating startup-like societies. These initiatives are largely driven by libertarian ideals and are supported by significant investments from tech leaders, including venture capitalist Peter Thiel. However, the concept of private cities is not without its challenges, as experts point out potential issues with governance and societal impact.