Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!decvax!microsof!uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!ariel!houti!hogpc!houxm!mhuxa!mhuxi!cbosgd!ihnp4!ixn5c!inuxc!pur-ee!iuvax!isrnix!tim From: tim@isrnix.UUCP Newsgroups: net.politics Subject: Re: How to Argue with Libertarians Message-ID: <269@isrnix.UUCP> Date: Fri, 8-Jul-83 09:45:06 EDT Article-I.D.: isrnix.269 Posted: Fri Jul 8 09:45:06 1983 Date-Received: Tue, 12-Jul-83 17:26:17 EDT References: uwvax.962 Lines: 17 So the only way that monopolies arise is through "Big Gov't" intervention? How about Standard Oil? This is just one of many industrial monopolies which had nothing to do with gov't regulation or intervention. Standard Oil among others just outright took over the market! There was a good reason for Gov't involvement in the Railroads just as for building other highways-it allowed the railroads to use more efficient routes by using the Gov't's power of eminent domain. Unfortunately that was turned to a profit by many a Railroad magnate. However it would be hard to argue that the effects of the railroads have been bad economically any more than the effects of highways,airports, or canals sponsored by the Gov't. It seems that Libertarians remain stubbornly myopic to the reality of monopoly power despite even Adam Smith's admonition that "one seldom finds merchants gathered in the same spot without an attempt at restraint of trade. " (this is not an exact quote, unfortunately I don't have "Wealth of Nations" at home with me) Tim Sevener decvax!pur-ee!iuvax!isrnix!tim