Re:France: All your books are belong to us
by bryanlarsen on Wednesday February 29, 2012 @11:52AM
(#3648529)
The difference between a corporation and a government is that the corporation has a clear conflict of interest. Also, keep in mind that French governmental organizations are typically less dysfunctional than American ones.
Re:France: All your books are belong to us
by JumpCrisscross on Wednesday February 29, 2012 @12:11PM
(#3648616)
French governmental organizations are typically less dysfunctional than American ones
Sorry, the research I've seen has shown the American government to be marginally more effective [1] and marginally less venal [2] at a much lower relative cost [3] than the French government. Quangos are usually in a class of their own when it comes to derision for public sector inefficiency [4].
[1] http://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi/worldmap.asp (2010 Government Effectiveness)
[2] http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2011/results/
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_spending#Government_...
Re:France: All your books are belong to us
by loceng on Wednesday February 29, 2012 @11:47AM
(#3648504)
France plans things pretty well in comparison (at least on outwardly views) compared to the US. I realize you said based on a typical government. There are negatives to a for-profit company doing things as well, where if something that could be developed would be beneficial to usefulness to users - but perhaps would hurt the profitable, then it likely wouldn't get implemented.
If I had to choose between the government (French, US, whatever) and Google doing such a thing, I would definitely choose an entity like Google on the grounds that since they stand to make money and have a stake, they'll manage it better than a typical government can.