Robert Nelson is one of the most interesting and important economists around at the moment. His work on private neighborhoods and other forms of voluntary governance is extremely important to libertarians. Creating voluntary and context-specific institutions capable of solving collective action problems and competing with the state is one of the most important practical steps libertarians can take to advance freedom.
Below is video of Nelson talking at the Mercatus Center on the Rise of Sublocal Governance, particularly homeowner associations. The audio is a bit patchy, but it’s a fascinating topic:
Professor Nelson will discuss the growing importance of sublocal forms of governance. The rise of private community associations, in which 20 percent of Americans now live, is a leading example. The spread of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) is another important case. Sublocal governments can specialize and otherwise more effectively address urban problems that have defied the efforts of conventional city governments. Professor Nelson will explore what this means for city and urban governance and the provision of public goods at various levels of government.
Brad Taylor is a graduate student in Political Science at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. He blogs at 