Zizek's Lenin

[Max B. Sawicky]

. . .
> Privatization is an instance of state-monopoly? I find that very 
> confusing.
> 
> Lenin and Hilferding talked about state-sponsored cartels and the 
> suppression of competition. Everywhere on earth, deregulation and the 
> intensification of competition are the rule of the day. Please 
> clarify how this proves Lenin and Hilferding right.

I don't know from Hilferding or Lenin, but I don't
think dereg/competition is the rule everywhere.
A transfer of a state enterprise to private
hands -- which characterizes much of what goes
by the name of privatization -- is no reflection
of increased competition.  In fact, accountability
and the implicit competitive pressure it brings can
easily worsen under "privatization."  Rather, I
would say "privatism" and "marketism" are the rule
-- the exaltation of private ownership and pricing
mechanisms -- rather than public ownership and
tax-based finance.

Another example:  if the state divests itself of
things like NPR and C-span, only to see those things
scooped up by a media conglomerate, we would not call
that an intensification of competition.

Often competition is mere transitory to market
concentration and un-competition.

mbs