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Xavier Belvemont

TEDCRED 30+

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All Government or all Private?

Here on TED I find alot of arguments for/against Government ownership of services and arguments for/against the private sector alternative.
So out of interest let's take this to extremes..

Lets say that oneday the Government takes a piece of paper
and on the paper all services provided by the government are listed.

Police, Firefighters, prisons, highway maintenance, infrastructure, schools, hospitals, military, Public Transport, FDA, EPA, DOE, DOA, sewage system, water infrastructure, Congress, Elections, Legislation, policy, the courts, everything... even the Materials and labour that maintain and create them.

Now, lets say the Government now gives you a referendum and the choice is that every single service either stays with the Government or it goes to private companies to run.
Which option do you choose and why?
There are no other options available.

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  • Barry Palmer 50+

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    Feb 27 2013: Private.

    If the government controlled all services, there would be no competition and hence no progress.
    Also, there would be somewhat more corruption.
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    edward long 100+

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    Feb 26 2013: Describe the difference between "all private" and anarchy please.
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    Pabitra Mukhopadhyay 30+

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    Feb 26 2013: I'd choose all government ; that's the decent looking private.

  • Alex Alcala

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    Feb 26 2013: the second, since the government is the king and will have the power to regulate the private sector.
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    pat gilbert 50+

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    Feb 26 2013: The later with a smidge of regulation, but damn little.
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    peter lindsay 30+

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    Feb 26 2013: If I have to choose it would be all private but neither extreme is optimum. Extremes rarely are.
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      Krisztián Pintér 200+

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      TED Translator
      Feb 26 2013: what is the optimum number of car crashes, malaria cases, hungry children?
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        peter lindsay 30+

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        Feb 26 2013: Enough to remind us not to take our existence for granted. eg The current situation in the west shows that in a world where no-one goes hungry the majority get fat. (You really don't like the government do you?) Maybe you just need to experience a government that does as it's told. Ours is quite obedient most of the time ;-)
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    Lawren Jones 10+

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    Feb 25 2013: I would choose all private. The private sector has always offered more choice and greater efficiency due to competition. Likewise, the bloat and inefficiency of the public sector points back to the same root cause - lack of competition.

    • ZX Style 10+

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      Feb 26 2013: I don't entirely agree with you.
      Theoretically you are right, private companies can do it more efficient.
      However in reality this is not allways true what your saying.

      Governments don't need to spend money on marketing and advertising campaigns..
      Goverments will not make concessions on quality of the service (water quality), however private companies tend to reduce the quality in order to compete.
      Goverments act in your interest. (in theory just like your argument)
      Goverments don't need to make profit, so the price could be close to cost price.

      So for important stuff like energy and water i'd like to have a goverment who is able to supply me for a fair price. Companies act not in your interest but in theirs (profit and as much as possible).
      there are numerous of examples where privatising goverment services actually increased the prices.

      Like healthcare in my country for example.
      This has been privatised since a few years.
      But the prices have increased dramatically.
      First we did not had any risk only 100 dollar for medical care a month.
      Now it's 100 a month but now 350 own risk is added.
      That is for elderly not anymore payable.

      And when you might think, what a commie, no i am a libertarian, but these services should be supplied by someone who acts in your interest.
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