If you're interested in company towns, Green 2012 is a nice starting point: amazon.com/Company-Town-I
If you're trying to think about space settlement, the stereotype that all company towns were like the most brutal Appalachian coaltowns in 1920 is incorrect.
Conversation
Replying to
Some examples: lots of company towns were basically well run, e.g. Hershey, Scotia. Also, companies pretty much always get out of running the infamous company store and other services as soon as they can, rather than perpetually trying to exploit employees.
2
6
One other is that the company store and scrip in general have a big place in the popular imagination, but were rarely the most salient feature of company town life. There's also some analysis that even in coaltowns they didn't elevate prices insanely.
1
4
Basically, as with everything, it seems very straightforward until you know some details.
2
15
Show additional replies, including those that may contain offensive content
Show