The free market not a game with no referee

At least 14 people lost their lives on Tuesday in Viareggio in Italy's northern-central Tuscany region when a freight train carrying liquid gas derailed. The left-liberal daily La Repubblica demands better controls: "The freight cars belonged to GATX, a railcar leasing firm based in Vienna. According to European regulations, railcars must be inspected every 4 to 6 years. ... But is that a sufficient guarantee? As it seems, no. ... GATX, for its part, argues that the lessee of the train, in this case Sarpom oil refinery [Esso Group] is responsible for inspections. However the latter passes the buck to the logistics department of the Italian railway company. ... What is lacking is an external, independent body to issue regulations and see to it that they're adhered to. It's impossible that when people talk about liberalisation what they mean is the lack of such a body. A liberalised market is not a game without a referee. It's a game where the referee doesn't take an active part but still calls the fouls. Even if an efficient referee has his price."

» more information (external link, Italian)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Infrastructure / Travel and Transport, » Italy, » Europe
All available articles from » Maurizio Ricci

» To the complete press review of Wednesday, July 1, 2009