Does Multiplicity Matter more than Ownership in the Efficiency of Infrastructure Services?

The services from infrastructure systems have, for historical reasons or as a result of specific local contingencies, been totally state-owned in certain countries, entirely privatized in others, and sometimes provided through a mixture of public, private, and self-help arrangements. Many governments are re-evaluating the manner in which services have been provided in the past, and are searching for ways of increasing the efficiency of service delivery. One of the options considered is privatization, whereby a transfer of ownership of infrastructure assets from the public to the private sector is undertaken as a measure to increase efficiency. Another option is introducing multiplicity in the production of infrastructure services by: introducing competition in and for service production; and devolving responsibilities to regional, state, or local authorities.