Further thoughts on charter cities and effective altruism

Abstract

Charter cities, self-governing enclaves within existing countries, are often touted as a promising way to alleviate poverty. This article argues that the potential economic growth of charter cities is under-estimated and that the failures in Madagascar and Honduras are not representative of future efforts. The article suggests that charter cities could achieve growth rates exceeding 10 percentage points higher than their host countries, and points to the success of China’s special economic zones as evidence. The article also argues that charter cities represent a unique opportunity for experimentation and learning, and that even if some charter cities fail, the knowledge gained from their success and failures could benefit many more people in the future. – AI-generated abstract.