There exists certain sectors of the market that, by their very nature, end up becoming monopolies, and, therefore, anti-competitive. The most obvious example of this would be utilities (think power distribution (even the poles themselves), water mains, sewage, etc). Is there any way to combat these sorts of monopolies with the existing system, or would a new system have to be devised using decentralized alternatives?

  • @Andy
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    11 year ago

    While technological innovation to disrupt or supplement these “practical” monopolies are welcome, I do think they have a place.

    Clues to achieving sustainable and “democratic” management of such infrastructure are, IMO, to be found in the various explorations of municipalism, Elinor Ostrom’s “commons” studies, and Henry George style ongoing community compensation for monopolized inelastic resources.