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by twoodfin 252 days ago
OK, which sectors were monopolies (or even duopolies) in the 1970’s that have survived to this day? Maybe oil? A few agricultural sectors?

If you actually look at the corporations that are consuming Americans’ income in 2025 vs. the equivalents in 1975, the idea that “monopolies” have controlled the economy for 50 years is self-evidently absurd.
1 comments
johnnyprozac 250 days ago
If the number of providers that you yourself have direct access to is singular or limited to two or three? Yes that's a monopolistic environment. Consider that for most people in many more regions of the US than not will only be able to access the internet with ONE provider. They will only be able to get health care from one provider. They will only be able to get farm equipment from one provider and then not be able to fix said farm equipment. They will only be able to get seeds for food from one provider. And where 1 or 2 platforms are the only way for distribution in the digital space ("cough" app stores) or your logistical choices come down to 1 or 2 with prices fixed...again you may have comeptition on some level but at the macro level monopolistic effects are occuring because the distribution channel is what moves a market not necessarily sub vendors.

the fact that the incentives for shareholder interest has led to consolidation and then to again always end up in a market where there is less providers than more. Look the names may change But since derregulation of much of the M/A activity we have ended up in markets that have monopolistic effects.

So...semantically there may be "competition" in markets" but on the ground and in real life where it matters the effects and actual restrictions that monopoly brings is very much a fact. It's absurd to ignore actual in depth analysis that takes context of actual economics (from the regional facets to actual mechanics of trade) into account and not think that monopolization is not occurring and not have an overwhelming impact. It is very evident that you yourself have not looked to deep into this.

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