Free Zones

Free Zones are real-world pilot regions where money is phased out and the Foundation layer runs in production. Residents receive housing, food, healthcare, and transit as infrastructure; Merit and Civic Standing systems operate transparently. Zones demonstrate feasibility, build public support, and create a peaceful pull toward adoption.

Detroit and other early pilots test Fusion-powered grids, vertical farms, and Proof-of-Diversity councils. Political dynamics shift as voters in these regions experience tangible benefits, pressuring surrounding jurisdictions to join. Zones also surface failure modes–e.g., the Oregon pilot’s collapse after abandoning CORE-5 safeguards–informing safeguards for broader rollout.

The concept echoes special economic zones and charter cities but flips the aim: decommodify essentials rather than deregulate for capital. Success depends on infrastructure readiness and uncompromised transparency.

References

• UnscarcityBook, chapter6 and epilogue
• Paul Romer, “Why the World Needs Charter Cities” (2009 TED Talk)
• World Bank, “Special Economic Zones” (2017)