I'm forwarding a message originally posted to H-STATE listserv
(<[log in to unmask]>), which I thought many of you might enjoy.
Apologies in advance to those who have seen it already.

Blake Poland
University of Toronto
============================forwarded message:

Date:    Mon, 10 Feb 1997 13:51:59 -0500
From:    H-State Co-Editor Mary Schweitzer <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: "Privatization" (def'n from J.R. Saul)

Date: Mon, 10 Feb 97 09:36:00 EST
From: Sandra Taylor-Owen <[log in to unmask]>

While we are still on the topic of privatization, may I urge list-members
to read one of my favourite books ---
   _THE DOUBTER'S COMPANION: A DICTIONARY OF AGGRESSIVE COMMON SENSE_,
          by John Ralston Saul (Toronto: Penguin Books, 1995).

Below is his entry on "Privatization."

   from Sandra Taylor-Owen - - - - [log in to unmask]
        Nipissing University - - - - North Bay, Ontario

      * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


 PRIVATIZATION

  1. Ideology.

  2. A way to finance political parties.
       Privatization makes friendly lawyers, accountants, stockbrockers,
  bankers and investors rich.  They then make contirbutions to their
  benefactor's party, give jobs to defeated or retiring candidates,
  enrich the private lives of politicians with travel and entertainment
  and, in certain cases, fill their on- or off-shore bank accounts.

  3. Sometimes a sensible thing to do.
       There are new areas of development in which the public interest
  is served by public involvement.  When that area is well established
  it may be a good idea to transfer it to the private sector so that
  the public can concentrate on new area of development.  This suggests
  that capitalism is not very good at substantial risk when it involves
  long-term investment.  It also suggests that the private sector owes
  a debt of gratitude to the citizenry who have been willing to risk
  their painfully accumulated shared wealth in order to encouage
  innovation.

  4. A backward step if utilities or essential services are involved.
       Privatization means a return to the sort of private monopolies
  which two centuries of experience taught us were politically and
  socially dangerous.  The basic needs of the populace cannot be
  entrusted to the linear and short-term needs of private investors.

  5. A way to undermine growth.
       Privatization encourages private investors to lock up their
  capital in utilities or well-established sectors which are dependent
  on stability and rarely at the centre of innovation.  This money is
  no longer available to be invested in those areas which encourage new
  ideas and create growth.

                          (from _The Doubter's Companion_, page 239)