More city states?

MayCaesar

I think that city states are marvelous, provided they have the right system in place: extensive business freedoms, free trade and immigration policies. Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau are so prosperous exactly because their economies are essentially investment havens and major trade hubs, and high-quality specialists move there to work in conditions of low taxation and regulations.

They, however, are quite susceptible for pressure from gigantic foreign governments, that can often buy up a significant fraction of private assets and make the market dependant on them. Singapore avoided this fate by harsh anti-corruption standards in the government in combination with a unique international corporate makeup, with investors from countless foreign countries competing for influence. Hong Kong and Macau were not so lucky and have fairly little independence at this point.

piloteer

I would think the absence of city states are because of uncontrollable circumstances that caused them to be less useful in modern society, as opposed to them being phased out by choice, or for a purpose. Only speculation on my part though.