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Monopoly Discussion

Give an example of a  monopoly.  Is this monopoly created by government fiat or is it a natural monopoly? Is it regulated in some way?  Do you believe prices are lower because the monopoly is regulated? Why or why not? What if we discarded the monopoly regulations - how would this market work were it not a monopoly? Do you prefer this industry as a monopoly? Give economic reasons.
Don't use a monopoly someone else has already used unless you have more to add.  Every now and then I have a lazy class and everyone chooses the post office.  I know you guys would never do that of course, because that makes for a boring discussion. :^)  If you really want to talk about the post office talk about why packages are no longer a part of its monopoly and what happened in that portion of the mail market?  Would there be no mail service in rural America without the post office?



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