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| quote: | Originally posted by Krypton
One instance are businesses whose revenue depends on a supply of fuel. Also monopolies. |
Monopolies don't necessarily force anyone to buy their products. The closest thing I can think of that would fit that criticism would be Microsoft in the 1990s with the explosion of Windows. However, as much as people may complain and point fingers at them, I think that the productivity gains and technological innovation that was significantly driven by Microsoft is justification enough for the billions of dollars that went into Bill Gates (and the millions of MSFT shareholders') pockets. Furthermore, Gates is the largest single charitable doner in the world today so he gets a little credit in my book. Also, it's not like MSFT charged an exorbitant price for Windows. People certainly always had the option of getting a Mac, but at the time, Microsoft simply offered a superior product. So I'm really a bit hard pressed to conclude that MSFT's profits as a monopoly were "unjust." I think we're straying from the topic a bit--perhaps you have more specific examples without just giving a broad based generalization?
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