One definition could be that which is effectively required by citizens to exist and operate in a society. This would include utilities essential to life (water, heating, etc.), internet (given that the government essentially requires it for many things now), money (it's essentially required to have a bank account), healthcare, transport.
It's important to be realistic here and not fall back to technical truths. Yes, you could technically buy a house with physical cash. In practice, you need a bank account and to deal with the private banking system.
Another important factor for me is whether choice reasonably exists in the market. One of the great things about having a private sector is I can choose where to allocate my funds. I'm quite into music so naturally I have more instruments and sound equipment than most. But to afford this I must sacrifice other areas, like fishing. I don't own any fishing equipment because I'm not into fishing. This is great because it allows for a rich and diverse society.
But when the doctor says you need a £3000 procedure or else you will die, nobody chooses instead to allocate the funds elsewhere. There is no reasonable choice when it comes to healthcare. So it's wrong to treat it just like fishing.
It's important to be realistic here and not fall back to technical truths. Yes, you could technically buy a house with physical cash. In practice, you need a bank account and to deal with the private banking system.
Another important factor for me is whether choice reasonably exists in the market. One of the great things about having a private sector is I can choose where to allocate my funds. I'm quite into music so naturally I have more instruments and sound equipment than most. But to afford this I must sacrifice other areas, like fishing. I don't own any fishing equipment because I'm not into fishing. This is great because it allows for a rich and diverse society.
But when the doctor says you need a £3000 procedure or else you will die, nobody chooses instead to allocate the funds elsewhere. There is no reasonable choice when it comes to healthcare. So it's wrong to treat it just like fishing.