Creating a standard is socialism. Let's create a private monopoly backed by the government. k.,(reply>), The problem was they didnt want to seize the privately-owned power companies directly, because then the state would be stealing private assets. So they went and built a state system that those companies could connect to!,(reply>), @Double Bob or as in the 70s own by the government, incredibly unreliable (power cuts), loss making. And relative to inflation "more" expensive than it is today.,(reply>), A private monopoly backed by the government at least functions, unlike public government monopolies.,(reply>), Creating a standard ≠ nationalizing industries,(reply>), @Double Bob that's a mirage facade.