The League of Free Cities
Our primary focus is supporting the localized autonomy of present and aspiring Free Cities.
Over the timeline of civilized human history, "Free Cities" have risen and fallen as the socioeconomically dominant mode of governance, in a cycle.
Science and technology are exponentially accelerating, and so is this cycle.
The 21st century is the first modern period of nation-state recession, and free city ascension - with novel and important consequences for humanity.
Function
1
Unite
The League of Free Cities is a Meta Network State. A community of Free Cities united for the single value of maximum individual legal autonomy.
Each member Free City that faces the risk of expropriation or decreased legal autonomy, is protected and supported by the host countries of each member Free City, as these lobby for bilateral, regional and geopolitical support.
Communication and coordination among founders and cities is framed around achieving the shared value.
2
Shared Technology
In collaboration with the leading technologists in the space, the League of Free Cities consolidates a best-in-world regtech and operating tech solution standard to achieve the shared value. This is offered as an integrated stack to support the development and governance of free cities, for all present and aspiring member Free Cities.
3
Investment Fund
Free Cities require scaling funds of around $100M each for optimal second layer investment. The fund invests in Free Cities meeting a minimum autonomy threshold, a viable business case, and secured with land holding.
4
Cities in Residence
Among the Free City though leaders and entrepreneurs on the ground, there is a manual of tried and tested approaches, with a narrow range or working methods. The League of Free Cities takes on aspiring members and incubates these to unlock legal approval, a viable business case, and investment.
Inspiration from the Hanseatic League
1
12th Century
Formation of the Hanseatic League, a powerful network of Northern European trading cities.
2
12th-17th Centuries
The League demonstrates the benefits of economic integration and coordinated autonomy among cities.
3
Peak of Influence
Effective trade, diplomacy, and defense strategies prove the effectiveness of decentralized governance.
4
Legacy
Legal and administrative innovations inadvertently set the stage for centralized states.
Rise and Fall of Nation States
1
Decline of the Hanseatic League
As nation states emerged, the League's influence waned.
2
Consolidation of Cities
The League's cities' consolidation further advanced nation-state development.
3
16th and 17th Centuries
The League's success played a central role in the development of nation states as a model.
4
Present Day
Nation states have begun to exceed their own capacity, leading to new opportunities for free cities.
Historical Patterns of Empire Decline
Roman Empire
Collapsed due to over-expansion, excessive debt, and administrative inefficiencies.
Ottoman Empire
Faced similar challenges of overextension and economic strain.
United States
Mirrors these patterns with extensive global military presence, significant national debt, and political gridlock. Economic vulnerabilities and rising income inequality add to these challenges.
Modern China's Challenges
Rapid Growth
China has experienced significant economic expansion in recent decades.
Over-expansion
Despite growth, China faces issues of over-expansion, mirroring historical patterns.
Rising Debt
Increasing debt levels pose a challenge to China's continued economic stability.
Future Outlook
These factors may drive China to decline in time, but not before it is positioned to benefit from and secede a collapsing US-EU 'world order.'
The Cyclical Nature of Free Cities
1
Natural Reversion
Free Cities represent a cyclical reversion of scale in governance.
2
Efficient Decision Making
They work by more closely tying decision making and expenditure to the affected jurisdiction.
3
Emerging Trend
Those who accept the macro trend of emerging Free Cities are positioned to guide their development through a League.
4
Human Flourishing
The goal is to foster the betterment and flourishing of humankind through this model.
Timeliness of the League of Free Cities
1
Rebirth of a League
The rebirth of a League of Free Cities is timely in the current global context, as it fits the macro trend cycle (Free Cities over-integrate→ Nation States over-extend and decline → Free Cities re-emerge).
2
Middle Country Investment
Middle countries not forced into geopolitical conflicts would be wise to invest sovereign wealth into Free Cities development.
3
Parallel Tracks
The League offers geopolitical-conflict insulated and parallel tracks of continued trade and growth. This offers sanctuary and open space, for continued and/or revised human progress.
4
Long-term Benefits
A large scale investment fund in Free Cities can yield robust returns in soft power, legal arbitrage enabled advanced technological innovation, and exceptional capital returns secured by physical land increasing in value over time.
League Mandate
Minimalist Mandate
Focus on external actions, not internal member zone affairs.
Technology Integration
Voluntary free trade, intelligence sharing, and mutual cooperation for autonomy.
Geopolitical Neutrality
Avoid alignment with major powers to minimize conflict risk.
League of Free Cities: What It Does NOT Do
No internal Mandates
The League of Free Cities does not mandate or enforce any laws or regulations within member cities and zones.*
No Enforced Policies
It does not mandate or enforce social or cultural policies within member cities and zones.
Neutral Stance
It does not officially condemn or applaud any legal, social or cultural policy or practice within member cities and zones.
*However, the League does classify members according to an autonomy threshold recognized by each zone or city's country.
A Long-Term View
The League's minimalist mandate is designed to ensure a sustainable growth of diverse free cities. By maintaining a limited mandate to avoid the creation of centralized power, the League mitigates against over-integration of member cities and the cyclical shift back to larger nation-states that might otherwise happen in decades or centuries (learns from the mistakes of the Hanseatic League).
Components
1
Physical Zones
Accept the applications of multiple physical zones and cities meeting a set threshold of autonomy, with three tiers of membership (members, aspiring members, associates).
2
Integrated Tech Stack
Standardized community building and and operational tools to serve the league's limited mandate, while providing a value addition significantly exceeding the cost of implementation.
3
Global Fund
A global League of Free Cities fund and thesis, primarily backed by middle country sovereign wealth and private equity, to unlock and scale Free Cities.
4
Geopolitical Stance
The League is unaligned to the hegemonic geopolitical binary, supporting the foundation (of free cities) for a parallel 3rd global track of diverse sustainable techno-optimism to enable human flourishing and healthy communities
Vision for Human Flourishing
The League of Free Cities is designed to unlock human flourishing by empowering zones and cities with the autonomy and open space needed for people to experiment and learn. This allows for the development of sustainable advanced technologies, new community models in areas like education, health, lifestyle and culture, and truly innovative solutions that can prove their benefit to everyone for wider adoption.
The League framework is critical for the long term security of these zones' autonomy, to create an environment where individuals and communities can pursue their own paths, innovate freely, and contribute to a future where human flourishing can be improved. By providing an open space for experimentation and learning, the League anticipates development of healthier, more advanced, and more meaningful communities.
Tech Stack Vision
Full Stack Solutions
To Provide: Community building and reg-tech future proofed full tech stacks tailored to each project's niche community/regtech specifications
Inter-project Integration
Integration with other projects to support voluntary free trade/exchange, intel, interchange, and other value offerings
Investment Into League Members
1
Seed Funding
Provide Seed funding to qualifying zones directly
2
Series A Funding
10-100x Series A funding of zones through Fund
3
Qualification Criteria
Zones must have land ownership (or long term lease) and legislative clearance for Fund investment
4
Membership Agreement
Funded zones formally meet, or agree to work toward, a minimum autonomy threshold
Membership Types
Full Membership
Full membership is granted to autonomous regions or cities that meet the League's minimum threshold of autonomy and hold a defined geographic territory. This ensures alignment with the League's mandate for autonomous and self-governing regions.
Aspiring Membership
Aspiring membership is open to any community, special economic zone, or group working towards full membership, with or without a physical location. This encourages development of aspiring Free Cities and fosters a collaborative environment.
Associate Membership
Associate membership applies to organizations like banks, universities, and companies that seek to collaborate with Free Cities or establish operations within them. This expands the network and multiplies economic growth within the League's framework.
City in Residence Program
Mentorship and Collaboration
The City in Residence Program is an optional initiative by the LoFC founders, advisors and leading projects, to offers guidance and expertise to aspiring members (potential Free City founders).
Knowledge Sharing
The program fosters collaboration and knowledge transfer between our more experienced founders / advisory thought leaders in the space, and newer project founders planning or at an early stage.
Invest-able Projects
The program provides structure and advise on the unanswered questions, doubling as a platform for free city projects to showcase their potential and line up small check seed & large check scaling investment.
Join the League of Free Cities
We're in the early growth period where competitive co-operation wins, to all grow independent projects.
Get Involved
The League of Free Cities is actively reviewing and accepting projects, advisors, investors, and thought leaders to join the organization. Inquire below.
Connect with Us
Contact us to discuss mission alignment and how we can collaborate (level up) or respective work to drive forward the future of free cities, zones & communities.
Significant Players
The League already boasts a strong network of free city pioneers and investors, and interested large funds for the multi-billion dollar deal flow represented.