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Here's a question, we're in a globally competitive marketplace. Wouldn't forcing a breakup of Amazon hurt its competitiveness globally against companies like Al

Here's a question, we're in a globally competitive marketplace. Wouldn't forcing a breakup of Amazon hurt its competitiveness globally against companies like Alibaba or JD?

almost_usual 6y ago
I’d doubt the US government would allow another Chinese monopoly to take the place of an American one.
- logicchains 6y ago
  What's it going to do, ban it? Is there any precedent for the US permanently banning successful foreign retailers? Even if it did, that still wouldn't stop the Chinese company taking a dominant place in the rest of the world, like Google, Facebook and Amazon do now. Which would represent a massive loss to US intelligence-gathering capabilities and soft power.
  - almost_usual 6y ago
    What you’re arguing is “monopolies are OK because China does it”. So what happens if China gets more powerful because they’re authoritarian? Does that mean US authoritarianism is OK if it keeps the US #1? It’s a slippery slope and I’m not on board.
    - logicchains 6y ago
      It's not about okay or not okay, it's just pointing out that if the US government breaks up Amazon, it may just be replaced by a Chinese monopoly, ultimately achieving no big benefit, but hurting America's geopolitical interests. Outcomes matter, not intentions.
      - almost_usual 6y ago
        If tensions rise to that degree we’ll be even deeper into a Cold War where you’ll see other countries pick sides with who they do business with.
      - archagon 6y ago
        I'd rather live in a second-rate democracy than a first-rate corporatocracy. To me, that's the only outcome that matters. If the Chinese monopoly does things to break our laws, it can be sanctioned or banned.
        scarface74 6y ago
        Corporate America doesn’t have the power of the police or military to take away my liberty or property.
        archagon 6y ago
        Well, it certainly did in the past!! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_worker_deaths_in_United_States_labor_disputes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_worker_deaths_in_Unite... And there are much more disturbing historical examples of unrestrained corporatism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_rule_in_India https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_rule_in_India
        scarface74 6y ago
        Have you seen the actions of the government lately - not in the distant pass.

Here's a question, we're in a globally competitive marketplace. Wouldn't forcing a breakup of Amazon hurt its competitiveness globally against companies like Alibaba or JD?

almost_usual 6y ago

I’d doubt the US government would allow another Chinese monopoly to take the place of an American one.

logicchains 6y ago
What's it going to do, ban it? Is there any precedent for the US permanently banning successful foreign retailers? Even if it did, that still wouldn't stop the Chinese company taking a dominant place in the rest of the world, like Google, Facebook and Amazon do now. Which would represent a massive loss to US intelligence-gathering capabilities and soft power.
- almost_usual 6y ago
  What you’re arguing is “monopolies are OK because China does it”. So what happens if China gets more powerful because they’re authoritarian? Does that mean US authoritarianism is OK if it keeps the US #1? It’s a slippery slope and I’m not on board.
  - logicchains 6y ago
    It's not about okay or not okay, it's just pointing out that if the US government breaks up Amazon, it may just be replaced by a Chinese monopoly, ultimately achieving no big benefit, but hurting America's geopolitical interests. Outcomes matter, not intentions.
    - almost_usual 6y ago
      If tensions rise to that degree we’ll be even deeper into a Cold War where you’ll see other countries pick sides with who they do business with.
    - archagon 6y ago
      I'd rather live in a second-rate democracy than a first-rate corporatocracy. To me, that's the only outcome that matters. If the Chinese monopoly does things to break our laws, it can be sanctioned or banned.
      - scarface74 6y ago
        Corporate America doesn’t have the power of the police or military to take away my liberty or property.
        archagon 6y ago
        Well, it certainly did in the past!! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_worker_deaths_in_United_States_labor_disputes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_worker_deaths_in_Unite... And there are much more disturbing historical examples of unrestrained corporatism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_rule_in_India https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_rule_in_India
        scarface74 6y ago
        Have you seen the actions of the government lately - not in the distant pass.