8th July 2008, 02:07 PM
I'm not really convinced by the theoretical advantages of a monopoly, gorilla. I just don't see them working well in other situations.
But the main difference between archaeology, and, say, the water or rail monopolies is that there is no regulator. Severn Trent were recently fined millions of pounds for lying to their regulator: there is just no mechanism for this in archaeology. There is still plenty of competition in UK archaeology.
Quote:quote:One of the things about a monopoly is that it is singularly answerable to its staff, its regulators and to its public.
But the main difference between archaeology, and, say, the water or rail monopolies is that there is no regulator. Severn Trent were recently fined millions of pounds for lying to their regulator: there is just no mechanism for this in archaeology. There is still plenty of competition in UK archaeology.