[PEN-L:11999] Re: More on UPS

["Max B. Sawicky" <maxsaw@xxxxxxxxx>]

> .  .  .

> On a related note, a lot of the privatization stuff is only possible, I
> think, _because_ of new technologies -- that is, it had not been possible


Yes and no.  Without doubt technology is important, but the
political element should not be underestimated. For instance, before
1900, much of routine municipal services (such as they were in those
days) were contracted out.  Corruption scandals ended those practices
and gave rise to civil service standards. There were also private
roads and bridges, and catastrophic bankruptcies in companies that
had contracted to build such things.

This will be explicated at length in an EPI report, probably out
early  next year.

Cheers,

MBS

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Max B. Sawicky            Economic Policy Institute
maxsaw@xxxxxxxxx          1660 L Street, NW
202-775-8810 (voice)      Ste. 1200
202-775-0819 (fax)        Washington, DC  20036
http://epn.org/sawicky

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