With the technology of decreasing return to scales, decentralizations do improve social welfare; however, with increasing return to scales, decentralization may deteriorate welfare.

• 本文发现,相对于国家垄断而言,在规模报酬递减的技术下,地区竞争一般会带来社会福利的提高;而在规模报酬递增的技术下,地区竞争更有可能降低了社会福利。