Introducing the Honduran Special Development Regions
Update, April 6, 2012: LibertyBlog.Org has just published a new commentary from me on this topic. Read “Honduras and the Future of Competitive Governance” here.
February 16, 2012
Although the Economist magazine has reported on the Honduran Special Development Regions (Regiones Especiales de Desarrollo) or charter cities, they were scant on details, and the accuracy of that article has come under fire. In the latest episode of The Stateless Man radio show, I went straight to the source on what looks set to be a future Hong Kong or Singapore of Central America.
Along with Brad Jordan, I interviewed one of three commissioners overseeing the new regions—Carlos Pineda of CoAlianza, the Honduran department of privatization and public-private partnerships. Click below to listen (35 minutes, mp3):
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
We also had Michael Strong, the cofounder of the Free Cities Institute, which, along with the Universidad de Francisco Marroquín, promotes the charter cities idea. Both interviews proved insightful, and we will continue to watch this development, set to begin construction within one year. Here is the audio of Strong’s interview (45 minutes, mp3):
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Actually, I first heard about the Special Development Regions when I was a reporter in New Orleans, and a Honduran delegation presented on why people would do well to invest and travel there. What perked my attention even more, though, was the warm community of Hondurans who lived in New Orleans. And I still miss the Wednesdays with live music at Carreta’s in Metairie, Louisiana.
About Fergus Hodgson
[...] La idea es hacer borrón y cuenta nueva sobre las fallas del gobierno y permitir un nuevo comienzo en partes específicas del país. Estas regiones autónomas tomarán métodos probados en todo el mundo para elaborar sus propias leyes, tener sus propias cortes, y hasta tener sus propias políticas de inmigración. Los líderes de cada región también competirán con otros para atraer inversionistas. [...]
[...] The idea is to wipe the slate clean of governmental failure and allow for a fresh start in specific parts of the country. These largely autonomous regions will take proven approaches from around the world to write their own laws, have their own courts, and even handle their own immigration policies. The leaders of each region will also compete with the others to attract constituents and investors. [...]
[...] Sobering Reality of Police State Activities in Honduras While I’ve been eager to promote the promise of Honduras, an article this week offered a compelling and cautionary perspective on life there. The writer, [...]
[...] has been of particular importance to The Stateless Man, since it has offered what I describe as “The Frontier of Competitive Governance.” In addition to a full episode on the topic in February, I examined police state activities and [...]