It is worth taking a look at this strange thing because it is the last remaining City State of Europe (over a thousand years old!) and because it incorporates many of the ideas discussed within this blog. It is the one institution that remains resistant to feminism authough it is completely open to women who wish to participate.
There are two things we must understand about the City. First, it is very small- only one square mile. Secondly, it is colossally rich.
It is run on the principle of citizenship similar to that found in ancient Athens. In other words any individual who loves the City and who wishes to participate in public life must earn the right through public works. This is largely done through a system of Livery Companies which are ancient trade associations- many of which represent trades that no longer exist.
This amounts to a two tear system of government. All local residents vote in the same way they do in other areas and yet the powers of these directly elected representatives is quite minor. This is because the funds at their disposal are quite modest. The city is massively rich and for this reason does not qualify for very much government funding. In any case there are very few private residents living in the City as it is a business district. More power lies with the livery companies because they can take on and fund projects directly. It is interesting to walk around and simply note the number of projects that are funded by this or that company. The livery companies do not involve themselves in politics. They simply put their hands in their pockets and do what is needed.
City government has the following characteristics.
1) Many public posts are unpaid. To serve is an honor.
In fact many City officials pay for the privilege of working there. Public officials are rewarded by participation in an elaborate system of ritual and tradition. Here we see 'Swan Upping' where members of two of the most powerful Livery Companies count the swans on the Thames for the Queen. This is done in the least efficient possible way by blowing horns and drinking a great deal of wine. I have no idea why the queen needs the swans counted but she appoints the Queens swan marker to do so.
2) Government of for the people but not by the people.
The average user of City services pays nothing for them either directly or by taxes. City governance passes him by as a bizarre pantomime that he at least does not have to pay for. A noticeboard is in every public library and art gallery for those who wish to become involved but few do as it is a rich man's game. A number of new livery companies have been created in recent years to make this more possible including one for security officers- my own job.
3) The City is debt free.
The City is actually funded by the City Cash. This is the interest on the investments held worldwide. It is interesting to compare this with the semi bankrupt state of 'Westminster' (the City term for the UK government) that has not based itself upon the classical concept of citizenship.
This is Drapers hall- the home of one of the larger livery companies. Many companies hold fundraising dinners for pet projects and there are 108 of them- plus a few without livery.
4) There is little or no taxation for most people.
The Corporation of London resembles a club of clubs more than it resembles normal government. On the one hand this seems undemocratic but on the other hand the corporation seems more responsive to the needs of the public than Westminster.
This is reflected in the architecture. On the one hand these institutions are completely private and on the other hand they have made themselves as beautiful and as open to the public as possible.
I see the City as a prototype for a future where national governments cannot continue their debt fueled ways. It is self governing, debt proof and ideology proof. This is because the only people who are listened to (within the companies) are people who do things in the real world and who are prepared to work for no pay. This eliminates most socialists and feminists instantly.
5) Anyone may get involved.
One of the ironies of this somwhat undemocratic system of government is that anyone may involve themselves in it. This is because there will always be a shortage of people who have the money and the time to do the work nessasary.
There is no reason why more livery companies should not be formed provided there is a need for them and provided they can finance themselves. One possiblility might be a survivalists company. Why not? Public safety and survival is often neglected by governments (in the UK at least) even though it is very cheap. As far as I am aware no centralised readyness body exists at all because none has ever been needed in the past. This is an opportunity for those who care about these things go get involved and do some of the work themselves.
It would be called somethng like the Guild of Disaster Preparedness Practitioners and would consist mainly of civilian entusiasts. It would focus upon simple and very cheap mesures that would save the maximum number of lives. It would, for instance be possible to stockpile sufficient anti radiation tablets for everyone in London for ten or twenty thousand pounds. These would be useful in the event of a dirty bomb which is a reasonably likely event.
Livery companies are not restricted to operating within the City and often have a global reach. They are structured as trade associations and often offer cources to prepare new members for full memebrship. There is no national qualification in disaster management at present and it would be useful if there were. This could be taken by police officers, public trasport officials and so on.
There is also no strict requirement to have premisis in the City. In fact it would be better if it did not to prevent them being beseiged by people in need of help.