Stewart Stremler said:
> begin quoting Todd Walton as of Fri, May 06, 2005 at 08:00:31AM
> -0700:
>> On 5/5/05, DJA <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> > In practical economic terms Microsoft /is/ a monopoly in the
>> operating
>> > system market. In that market Linux is still little more than a
>> Glob Fly.
>>
>> Well, "monopoly" usually means something more than just successful.
>
> Yes.
>
>> It usually implies some kind of extra-market wrong-doing.
>
> Wikipedia sez: -- In economics, a monopoly (from the Greek monos,
> one
> + polein, to sell) is defined as a persistent market situation where
> there is only one provider of a kind of product or service.
> Monopolies
> are characterized by a lack of economic competition for the good or
> service that they provide, a lack of viable substitute goods, as
> well
> as high barriers to entry for potential competitors on the market.
Here's another definition:
Monopoly-An unfair advantage or control of the market place with
regard to the trade of certain goods or services. This type of
exclusive marketing advantage serves to restrict competition in that
particular activity.
Monopoly-A state of exclusive or near-exclusive ownership or control
of a commodity, service or facility through legal privilege, command
of supply or concerted action, making possible the manipulation of
prices.
> I spent a few moments reading verious definitions, and I didn't find
> any that implied some kind of extra-market wrong-doing.
A monopoly doesn't necessarily entail wrong-doing. On the other hand,
if you have a monopoly who is going to tell you you're doing wrong?
> When we discuss the ramifications of monopolies, we eventually end up
> there, but I don't think it's useful to extend the term to
> automatically
> include the presumption of wrong-doing. Otherwise, we need to think
> of
> another term to describe an exclusive seller that is not engaged in
> some
> sort of wrong-doing.
There is no presumption in the definition. However, a monopoly gives
the possesor of that monopoly unlimited power over price, quality and
suitability of use of hte product that they sell. For most mortal
humans that's too much temptation.
--
Neil Schneider pacneil_at_linuxgeek_dot_net
http://www.paccomp.com
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