PREAMBLE

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Most readers are familiar with the meaning of liberty and freedom, but less so with Voluntaryism and Sociocracy.

To understand how we arrived at our concept, a brief background may be helpful. 

 

Marenal is the result of the philosophical evolution of our Founder, Franz Xaver Meier, a Bavarian-American Resident of Costa Rica. Franz was born in Munich, Bavaria, as the firstborn of a well-known restaurant family, six months before the start of World War II. He experienced the destruction and horrors of the war and the hardships of the post-war reconstruction period.

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These impressions convinced him at an early age of the unjustifiable aggression and loss of life caused by humans against other human beings, caused by greed, power, and money. He promised himself never to carry arms for any country or purpose, except in self-defense.

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Running away from induction into the new German military, he found himself in the USA at age twenty-one.  While working in Palm Beach, Florida, he was served with notice to join the US military. Fortunately, he escaped induction and a probable visit to Vietnam due to a back injury.

 

He continued his hospitality career in Connecticut, California, and in West Virginia at the great Greenbrier resort. He and his wife, Signe, moved from there to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina to join Charles Fraser at his Sea Pines Company, one of the first eco-sensitive developments in America. He eventually became Vice President of Food and Beverage. He was a happy Green Card holder when South Carolina changed its alcohol laws, and due to his position, he had to become a citizen to hold the alcohol licenses.

 

After ten years, and during the high interest Carter presidency, he moved to Charleston and built several well-known restaurants with the help of other professional partners. He also managed a historic inn and was active in many community and professional endeavors. He was recognized in 2010 as one of thirty-five visionaries who shaped the City of Charleston.

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After reading G. Edward Griffin's "The Creature from Jekyll Island" in the late 90's, he realized it was time to consider a plan "B". By coincidence, he met a former co-worker who had moved to Costa Rica. He visited him, and I fell in love with the country. In 2000, he purchased Marenal for its location and the cool climate around Lake Arenal. But it was not until 2024 that he could move permanently to Marenal to pursue his vision and dream.

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During his business career, Franz studied various political systems, including Ayn Rand's Objectivism, Austrian Economics, Murray Rothbard, and other economists and political philosophers. He is a supporter of many Libertarian and free-market organizations and a member of the International Humanist Society.

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After observing for many decades the course of history and the resulting economic chaos in the United States of America, Europe, and much of the world today, he concluded that Voluntaryism and a Sociocratic form of governance are the best ways to preserve freedom and our right to self-determination.

Of course, he is fully aware that this is a generational goal that can only be achieved by working within existing government structures and by educating the younger generations.

Thus, our belief that "the best government is no government" became the foundation of our community's concept.

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WHAT IS MARENAL

 

Our Marenal Intentional Community is dedicated to Voluntaryism, Sociocracy, Peace, Freedom, and Pura Vida!

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Our 24.4-hectare (55 acres) property was previously ia cardamom plantation, which we converted to a mixed-use development of commercial and residential properties.

The residential properties are in the sight-protected interior. All properties have beautiful views of Lake Arenal and the mountains beyond. The residential section is established as a Gated Residential Community.

All of our commercial lots have access to Road 143, a secondary National Highway, and will be community-owned.

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Our mantra of "Peace, Freedom, and Pura Vida" simply means:​

• The rejection of violence of any kind, except for self-protection. 

• The right of self-determination and to personal freedom.

• The enjoyment of a happy life.​​

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