Editing Natural monopoly (section)

=== History ===
A wave of nationalisation across Europe after World War II created [[State-owned enterprise|state-owned companies]] in each of these areas, many of which operate internationally bidding on utility contracts in other countries. However, this approach can raise its own problems. In the past, some governments have used the state-provided utility services as a source of cash flow for funding other government activities, or as a means of obtaining hard [[currency]]. As a result, governments seeking funding began to seek other solutions, namely regulation and providing services on a commercial basis, often through private participation.<ref name="bokir">[http://www.regulationbodyofknowledge.org/general-concepts/ Body of Knowledge on Infrastructure Regulation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003135809/http://regulationbodyofknowledge.org/general-concepts/ |date=2013-10-03 }} "General Concepts: Introduction."</ref>

In recent years, bodies of information have observed the correlation between utility subsidies and welfare improvements.<ref>{{cite book |title=Water, Electricity, and the Poor: Who Benefits from Utility Subsidies?. |date=2005 |publisher=World Bank |location=Washington, DC |isbn=978-0-8213-6342-3}}</ref> Today, across the world, [[public utilities]] are widely used to provide state-run water, electricity, gas, telecommunications, mass-transportation and postal services.