The hottest Privatization Substack posts right now

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Aura of Success: The First Years of Japan's Privatized National Railways

S(ubstack)-Bahn • 341 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
💼 Business Privatization Transportation Railways Economics
  1. Japan's privatized national railways, known as JR, started with a big public celebration but hid serious financial issues. The debt from the old national rail system was moved to a new agency, allowing JR to look profitable right from the start.
  2. To make the railways seem successful, the government cut jobs and weakened labor unions, which helped JR reduce costs and shift focus to customer service, making it appear more efficient.
  3. While JR showed initial profitability and ridership growth, the reality is that public funding and clever accounting masked ongoing financial struggles, leading to a significant government bailout years later.

The Dangerous Rhetoric of School Choice

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 696 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy School funding Rhetoric Privatization Public Schools
  1. Aggressive school choice activists use hateful rhetoric to silence public school advocates.
  2. Donors and politicians pushing for school choice are often motivated by profit rather than children's well-being.
  3. Privatization of public schools through school choice schemes takes funding away from public education for private gain.

Updated! The Plot To Privatize Canada Post's Parcel/Package Business.

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 36 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor relations Public Services Government Accountability Privatization
  1. There is a belief that Canada Post is being privatized bit by bit, especially in the parcel/package delivery sector. This could lead to private companies taking over what was once a public service.
  2. The union workers at Canada Post are facing difficulties because of a long strike, which some people blame for delays during the busy holiday season.
  3. Concerns are raised about how privatization could hurt remote communities, especially First Nations that depend on Canada Post for delivery of medical supplies and other essential items.

US corporations cash in on Ukraine's oil and gas

Geopolitical Economy Report • 578 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Privatization Conflict resolution Neoliberalism International Organizations
  1. US corporations like ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Halliburton are in talks to take over Ukraine's oil and gas industry as Ukraine sells off its public assets.
  2. The Ukrainian government is using the war as an excuse to implement aggressive anti-worker laws, treating the country as a for-profit company and pushing for privatization.
  3. Ukraine aims to attract US companies like Halliburton for oil production projects, even as the country seeks to drill for offshore natural gas off Crimea, with the help of the IMF imposing neoliberal reforms.

Follow the Money...

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 378 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Public Schools School choice Public funding Privatization
  1. The topic of school funding can lead to hateful and extreme rhetoric, especially from those pushing for privatization of public schools.
  2. There is a concerted effort by certain groups to defund public schools and redirect funds to private, often unaccountable institutions.
  3. Extreme rhetoric against public school advocates is often driven by profit-seeking individuals and politicians, rather than genuine concern for children's education.
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The Death and Privatization of Japanese National Railways (Part 2, 1982-1987)

S(ubstack)-Bahn • 220 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Privatization Labor Unions Political Influence Railways Reform
  1. The privatization and dissolution of Japanese National Railways (JNR) was driven by political dynamics and a push for neoliberal reforms by key figures like Yasuhiro Nakasone.
  2. The media played a significant role in shaping public opinion and supporting the privatization of JNR, contributing to its downfall.
  3. Labor unions ultimately surrendered and supported JNR privatization and division, leading to the dissolution of the iconic railway agency by April 1, 1987.

School Choice and School Vouchers Are Scams

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 218 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Policy Funding Legislation Privatization
  1. School choice and school vouchers are considered scams by the author due to the privatization push in Missouri and the negative effects on public education.
  2. Separation of church and state is mentioned as a concern in the context of taxpayer money being funneled to private religious schools through voucher schemes.
  3. Legislators in Missouri, like Josh Hurlbert, are being scrutinized for their involvement in promoting 'Empowerment scholarship' programs despite the impact on public schools and taxpayers.

The Rise and Fall of Japan's National Public Railway Labor Unions

S(ubstack)-Bahn • 160 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
💾 History Labor Unions Privatization Neoliberalism Railways Japan
  1. Japan's national public railway labor unions faced a significant decline from their powerful past, with membership dropping drastically over the years.
  2. The labor unions within Japan's national railways held significant influence and power in the past, shaping the fate of the railways through radical left-wing politics and strikes.
  3. The privatization of Japan's national railways in the 1980s marked the end for the powerful labor unions, leading to mass layoffs, legal battles, and the dissolution of the unions.

Biden is continuing Trump's privatization of Medicare. Here's what you need to know.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 259 implied HN points • 29 Jun 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health care Health Policy Medicare Privatization Government programs
  1. Biden is following Trump's lead by continuing a program that privatizes Medicare. This shift is concerning because it can affect seniors' healthcare options.
  2. Many seniors might be moved into profit-driven Medicare plans without realizing it. This could limit their access to care and services.
  3. Critics argue that allowing private equity and insurance companies into Medicare will make them more focused on profits than on providing quality healthcare to seniors.

Zambia: What really is neoliberalism anyway?

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 01 Apr 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Neoliberalism Corruption Economic Policy Privatization
  1. Zambia's economy heavily relies on copper exports, which makes it vulnerable to price fluctuations. If copper prices rise, the economy does better, but if they fall, it struggles.
  2. The country's government is heavily involved in businesses, which leads to corruption and unfair practices in privatization. This has hurt the working class and limited overall economic growth.
  3. To improve Zambia's economy, reforms should focus on reducing corruption and managing state assets better before jumping into privatization. Just selling off state enterprises without good governance doesn't benefit the country.