The history of the company town is not all negative. Many company model towns were truly built to provide a better quality of life for workers, albeit with some very paternalistic overtones and often a desire to make them better workers as well.
Interestingly, the modern US military base still often resembles a company town. While not perfect, my impression is that life isn't worse then off base.
Interestingly, the modern US military base still often resembles a company town. While not perfect, my impression is that life isn't worse then off base.