There are various ways government and private ownership can provide accountability. I lived in a town where the property lines met on all sides, including throu

There are various ways government and private ownership can provide accountability. I lived in a town where the property lines met on all sides, including through what appeared to be the roads. Each lot was encumbered with an easement which granted every other lot owner the privilege to travel over the easements so everyone can get to their houses. Taxes were mostly used by the town to maintain those roads (actually easements) and for police and building inspections. Importantly the town did not own the roads. The police enforced typical driving rules, but anyone who dug deep could find out none of it was really enforceable because it was private property. No parking on roads was enforced by a tow off the private property. If local government acted up against the wishes of residents, it would be a simple matter to repeal taxes and do the road maintainenace ourselves. The town had a calm neighborly feel and people were respectful of each other. It worked great, and local government always knew the people had the power.