In "The Voluntary City," David Beito, Peter Gordon, and Alexander Tabarrok discuss private cities, which can be understood as cities comprised of networks of voluntary associations, with each individual association providing specific goods and services to its members. According a contributor to the book, Fred Foldvary, hotels are an example of this type of voluntary association, as they provide a wide range of goods and services to their guests and are able to function like mini private cities.1
One key aspect of hotels as mini private cities is their ability to provide for the security and safety of their guests. Hotels hire security staff and implement safety measures such as fire safety systems and emergency procedures to protect their guests from harm. This allows hotels to provide a level of security that is comparable to that of a city, but without relying on a central government or external authority.
Furthermore, the security provided by hotels is based on voluntary agreements between the hotel and its guests. Guests are free to choose which hotel they stay at and can opt to purchase additional security services, such as room safes or security escorts. This means that the security provided by hotels is tailored to the specific needs and preferences of each individual guest, rather than being imposed by a central authority.
In addition to providing for the security of their guests, hotels are also able to provide a wide range of other goods and services. These include accommodations, food and drink, entertainment, and other amenities. Hotels are able to offer these goods and services without relying on a central government or external authority, and they are able to do so efficiently and effectively thanks to the voluntary agreements they have with their guests.2
Hotels are an example of how cities can be run as networks of voluntary associations. Like mini private cities, hotels are able to provide their guests with a wide range of goods and services, including security, and they are able to do so without relying on a central government or external authority. This allows hotels to operate efficiently and effectively, while also providing their guests with a high degree of freedom and autonomy.
Beito, David T., et al. “The Voluntary City.” Markets, Communities and Urban Planning (2007), pp. 262-269.
MacCallum, S. The Art of Community (1970), p. 2.
Ben, do the authors cite floating hotels, i.e., cruise ships, in their discussion of private cities? That seems to me to be an obvious example of truly private governance, considering there's no law enforcement on the high seas.