The Last Monopoly: Privatizing the Postal Service for the Information Age

While efficient communications are vital for advanced industrial societies, the United States is poised to enter the 21st century with the U.S. Postal Service, a government monopoly established in the 18th century. In this age of personal computers, fax machines, and e‑mail, the Postal Service is quickly becoming obsolete. This book explores the pros and cons of privatizing the Postal Service and abolishing its monopoly on carrying first-class mail.

Edward L. Hudgins is an adjunct scholar of the Cato Institute and current director of the Washington, DC office of the Objectivist Center. He is an expert on the regulation of agriculture, pharmaceuticals, labor, space and transportation and on state and international regulatory comparisons.