Other side of the HOA coin is that you are a group of people voluntarily choosing a small form of self-governance, as well as co-ownership and maintenance of property.

The problem is that egos get involved and people are expected to shoulder the burden of doing all the work for no pay and all the liability.

HOAs are a tool, and mostly a useful one. But regulation and litigation have fucked up the incentives so much, they can't be used effectively.