[nmrm2]

> The popular narrative that, unchecked by government, a business will eventually rise to absorb everything is not borne out by practice.

I get your point, but there are exceptions. In particular, utilities come to mind. All locations I've lived except 1 provided exactly one option for high-speed internet. I don't see that changing in most parts of the US any time soon. Ditto for water and electricity, depending on locality. Even temporary monopoly abuse in either of those two sectors can have devastating humanitarian impacts.

[refurb]

Aren't most utilities gov't supported monopolies? I think the logic is that for some utilities it doesn't make economic sense to have 5 companies all providing water to a house (5 water lines underground?).

The gov't gives the utility a monopoly in exchange for full coverage to all customers and pricing oversight.

[nmrm2]

There are plenty of examples where private companies control water distribution without government assistance or oversight if you look past the USA. We don't need fanciful theoretical speculation to know what happens in practice.

(note: not continuing with this thread because holy fuck hivemind downvotes.)