During this whole discussion I have been making an assumption. I have been presuming that ability of a competitive market economy (Classical Liberalism) to provide goods and services is superior to the ability of a centrally planned, government run economy (Classical Socialism).
It sounds so obvious and reasonable that if people would only think for a bit they could plan out where to put the stores (and jobs) so as to prevent all the waste and economic dislocation that occurs without planning.
What is wrong with that (very reasonable sounding) Classical Sociallist theory?
Hmmn
You also miss out on "Other scenarios".
In the UK I can buy my electicity and natural gas from a choice of a number of suppliers, but they come down the same wires and pipes.
Like the Raikways, one company provides the tracks, and another the trains to run on them.
It needs a regional or national "grid" for that to work, but it can work. Admittedly the rail analogy is not brilliant in this case, but I can buy my electicity or gas from choice of suppliers.
Here here!