The fact that anarchists don't talk about the Kowloon Walled City all the time proves how stupid internet Anarchists actually are (except for any anarchists reading this who are of course very smart and cool)
The fact that anarchists don't talk about the Kowloon Walled City all the time proves how stupid internet Anarchists actually are (except for any anarchists reading this who are of course very smart and cool)
I did a small research project on this for college.
English language sources kinda suck sadly, but while yes indeed the mafia had a massive presence in the area, from what I could gather there was something of an understanding between the criminal and non-criminal residence of the area. Apparently it would have been pretty easy to get a police presence in the area if enough residence requested it, which would have ended the gangs free reign, but it would also mean non-criminal residence would have to star paying taxes and landlords would likely raise rents. So there was something of an incentive for both parties to behave civilly because if the gangs harassed and abused residence they would decide the meddling of the government was worth getting them off their back and then the gangs would lose out on a massive safe haven. So, I guess in a weird way the AnCap concept of free markets being mutually beneficial kinda worked out there.