Introduction to the Freedom Cities Coalition

A new initiative, backed by billionaires, aims to establish libertarian enclaves in the United States. This initiative seeks to replicate a model that has been partially implemented in Central America, where private investors have been allowed to develop their own governance structures and laws within designated areas. The proponents of this initiative, known as the Freedom Cities Coalition, are lobbying the US government to authorize the creation of special development zones within the country.

The Goals of the Freedom Cities Coalition

The Freedom Cities Coalition is drafting legislation to establish a network of privately run, corporately governed cities within the US. These cities would operate under their own laws and governance structures, without the need for traditional bureaucratic oversight. The primary motivation behind this initiative is to facilitate the development of new technologies and scientific advancements without the regulatory constraints imposed by government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Background and Inspiration

The Freedom Cities Coalition is a project of NeWay Capital, a company involved in the development of Prospera, a private, crypto-friendly enclave in Honduras. Prospera was established in a special economic zone (ZEDE) that allows private actors to create their own regulatory and judicial rules. This model is part of the "Network State" movement, an anarcho-capitalist ideology backed by tech billionaires that seeks to create privately run cities with native cryptocurrencies.

Lobbying Efforts and Strategies

The Freedom Cities Coalition is actively lobbying the Trump administration and Congress to support their initiative. According to Wired, the coalition has been meeting with the Trump administration and claims to have received a receptive response. The coalition is pursuing various strategies to get legislation authorizing the development of these cities passed into law.

The Rationale Behind the Freedom Cities Initiative

The Freedom Cities Coalition argues that the US regulatory environment is hindering innovation and progress. On its website, the coalition states that "Freedom Cities are America’s boldest solution to unleash our nation’s full potential." The coalition claims that these specially designated areas will strip away bureaucratic barriers, allowing entrepreneurs and builders to innovate and develop at a faster pace.

Potential Locations for the Freedom Cities

The potential locations for these Freedom Cities are not explicitly stated, but it is suggested that they could be built on federally owned land. The Freedom City Coalition notes that 28% of US land is "federally owned and ready for innovative development." This raises concerns that national parks and wildlife conservation areas could be targeted for development. During his presidential campaign, Trump expressed support for using protected federal lands to build "Freedom Cities," which would "re-open the frontier, reignite American imagination, and give hundreds of thousands of young people and other people a new shot at home ownership and, in fact, the American dream."