The topic of this book has fascinated me for a long time. I have given lectures on the economic theory of public enterprise as professor at the universities of Bonn, Vienna and Graz since 1974 and as visiting professor at the London School of Economics since 1976. I discussed particular problems at scientific conferences. This book is the result of all this scientific business. I have greatly benefited from discussing various ideas with my colleagues. In Germany and Austria, above all N.Andel, Ch.B.Blankart, D.Elixmann, B.Genser, G.Gyarfas, R. Holzmann , Ch.Seidl, J.Tillmann, R.Watzke,...