How privatization increases inequality

Re:How privatization increases inequality by gravypod on Monday October 03, 2016 @01:57PM (#12629723)

It is my opinion that many organizations that you would consider a "Natural Monopoly" can, by nature, only provide a fair service/cost without being optimized out by the free market.

The two examples provided in the wiki page are not what I'd consider to be concrete:

   - Electricity: Solar Panels will replace these companies when they provide a poor enough, or expensive enough, service
   - Water: Allow people to tap wells on their property. Put them in charge of their own water. You can also run your own septic tank.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How privatization increases inequality by tomp on Monday October 03, 2016 @09:33PM (#12632731)

Your examples aren't well thought out. Solar panels can't provide electricity at night, so you still need a network (for the time being - hopefully batteries change this sometime soon). Most properties don't have wells, especially in the cities, so you'll always need a functional water network. Networks result in natural monopolies, unless correctly controlled/legislated.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How privatization increases inequality by gravypod on Monday October 03, 2016 @10:38PM (#12632961)

Batteries change this currently. Many people I know have solar installations.

And as for well taps, each building network can tap their own water.

[ Parent | on HN ]