Issues to be considered for Labor’s Economic Platform

Hence there are occasions where only natural public monopoly can do. Again: Duplication of cost structures in a competitive framework can be wasteful; but private monopoly or oligopoly can give rise to problems with the abuse of market power.

Strategic socialisation of different kinds can also ameliorate exploitation; and sometimes even enhance competition where appropriate.

Progress in extending a democratic mixed economy can also assist in ameliorating the self-destructive aspects of capitalism, while extending the principle of democracy into the economy in such a way as advances social democracy not just into the distant future - but beginning here and now. For instance – natural public monopolies which contain overall cost structures in an economy can even pass on a portion of those efficiencies to the private sector itself. Therefore in a way which may appear anti-intuitive to neo-liberal ideologues at first – natural public monopolies can support capitalist enterprise.

This Labor activist hopes that the principles considered in this article will somehow find themselves into the 2015 ALP National Platform – as policy-makers consider the best way forward for Labor between now and its National Conference in late-July.