08/05/2007 11:50:46 pm
De-Regulation And Its Opponents. Today, it was impossible to get a taxi in Rome. Why? Because there was a strike. Why? Because of a proposal to de-regulate the taxi business. And why was that proposed? Because it is almost impossible to get a taxi in Rome even when there is not a strike.

Apparently, taxis in Rome operate within strictly defined zones. They get a permission from some public authority. So entrepreneurs can′t enter, competition is very limited and the demand for taxis can′t be met. Still, today′s insiders protest. A challenge for any reformer.