"Monopoly controls have been the exception in free societies; they have been the rule in closed societies"

Lawrence Lessig's quote, "Monopoly controls have been the exception in totally free societies; they have actually been the guideline in closed societies", provides an effective review of how different kinds of societies handle economic and political power, particularly focusing on monopolies. At its core, the quote contrasts open, democratic systems with closed, authoritarian ones, highlighting how they in a different way approach the concentration of power and control.

In totally free societies, typically characterized by free markets and democratic governance, the presence of monopolies is normally viewed as an anomaly instead of the standard. These societies depend on principles such as competition, development, and consumer choice as driving forces for economic and social development. Regulatory frameworks in such environments intend to prevent monopolistic habits that might suppress competitors, control markets, or harm customers. Antitrust laws, for instance, are developed to take apart or regulate monopolistic entities and practices. Hence, monopoly controls-- or systems to maintain monopolies-- are exceptions, as totally free societies strive for a fair distribution of economic power and opportunity.

Conversely, in closed societies, monopolistic control frequently ends up being the rule. These societies are normally governed by stringent hierarchies or authoritarian programs where power is securely centralized, whether politically, economically, or both. In such environments, monopolies may be deliberately maintained as tools of control and impact. The concentration of financial power can serve to strengthen political power, with the state or a little elite preserving control over crucial industries and resources. There, monopolies may not just serve economic interests however also enhance social and political objectives, assisting to sustain the supremacy of particular groups or classes within society.

Lessig's quote therefore encapsulates the wider struggle between liberty and control, openness and limitation. It recommends that the mechanisms by which societies handle economic power show deeper values and structures within them, stressing the crucial function of guideline in promoting fairness and withstanding the aggregation of untreated power.