good background reading is the book "The Master Switch" by Tim Wu. Places current monopolies in historic context. doesn't give them a free pass mind you, just

good background reading is the book "The Master Switch" by Tim Wu. Places current monopolies in historic context. doesn't give them a free pass mind you, just lets you see that monopoly is a very stable and self-perpetuating state of affairs. reminds me of punctuated equalibrium theory.