Regardless of what one may think about the methods of government, it's a fact the public sector's been helping accelerate network effects by building the foundations of the net in which the private sector wouldn't be able to do so in record time considering the risks involved with high capital requirements. So yea, it's true that government control stifles network effects, but at the same time, they've built infrastructures for the people to leverage on. And it's not only government that's able to stifle creativity and knowledge, even corporations and the private sector is able to do so if they've vested interest to sway things their way. It's not all that clear cut @jasonchick..