[Martin Tell]

Hugo also defended paternalistic monopolies in Les Miserables. He thought competition was "ruinous." But I do agree that this (NYC cig) tax has increased to where it is probably impossible to collect it.

[thinktwice]

He thought competition was "ruinous."

Hugo was a practical man and your thinking that Hugo was against competition is probably wrong because competition is naturally ruinous for losing producers; and conversely, it is wonderful for consumers.

Hugo's Les Miserables (pages 158 and 159), for instance, has Jean Valjean inventing an improved technique to produce imitation jet beads and black glass. That invention led to Jean Valjean making a fortune while "ruining" the competiton.