Here’s an article on the current government plans to privatize more publicly owned companies in Slovakia. Since this is from the Spectator, a newspaper which often caters to an international businessperson readership, it is unsurprising (at least to me) that the article mainly quotes experts on the privatization side of this controversial issue. What is the opposite side of this coin? Are there certain types of services, such as transportation, utilities and health that should remain public? Are there disadvantages to privatization? (Some of the arguments on the opposite side that I sometimes hear is that public ownership prevents privately-owned monopolies in certain services where competition is not possible --the local bus companies mentioned in the article might fall into this category--, that it guarantees essential services, that it allows the public some democratic say in these sorts of companies since voters elect politicians who are at least indirectly in charge of them and can criticize their actions as public figures, and that it provides income and stability to the government.) What is your opinion on this issue in general, and also in the particular context of today’s Slovakia?
I understand that a lot of people in Slovakia are afraid of privatization, mainly because of Vladimir Meciar’s privatization of national companies during his tenure in the 90s. The privatization of national companies had been very questionable in terms of being unlawfully executed. But in my opinion some companies might have to be privatized, in order to provide services in high level of standard.
ReplyDeleteFor instance, health care in Slovakia has been known to be very poor. However, dentistry has been considered to be very prosperous because the practices are owned by self-employers. People usually pay to get their teeth check. What I am trying to say is that, if the hospitals were owned by private owners then the quality of the healthcare may rise. Of course, people would have to pay a little extra to get their things done, but money won’t get into a vicious circle like in public hospitals. In which, money magically disappear. I think Slovakia should follow the model of healthcare system that is implemented in some Western countries. The health care is very good in those states, especially the Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg or Sweden. The medical care is a little bit pricey in those states but the price is worth the quality they provide.
My opinion is that, Slovak health care in such a desperate need of a change and the privatization might be the change for the better future. It is certain that, there are some other alternatives which may have their pros and cons but I think privatization is worth considering.