Would EQ be better off without GMs?

[Ele]

Additionally the only non-gm mechanisms you have to try to force someone to behave on a blue server are 1) shame/ostracization, 2) training, or 3) kill stealing. A red server provides the additional recourse of 4) player killing.

All of the above can be used by either side of a dispute to achieve their version of justice. Without an independent arbitrator (GM/guide), one person would eventually out grief the other enough to leave the area or the game entirely. With the VZ/TZ rejects brigade and the amount of forum trolls in general, a GM-less server would quickly burn down in flames save for the few sadists/masochists/exploiters/hackers that enjoy griefing each other rather than playing the PvE game.

The honest people that just want to enjoy the PvE aspect in peace would find other refuge.