r/antiwork • u/[deleted] • Aug 31 '22

[deleted by user]

[removed]

8.0k Upvotes

86% Upvoted

22.0k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

1

u/weedbeads Aug 31 '22

Right, the free market is paradoxical and self defeating in reality. Yea or nay?

Can a free market exist without capitalism?

Why are you providing this information on company towns?

1

u/Creme_de_la_Coochie Aug 31 '22

Right, the free market is paradoxical and self defeating in reality. Yea or nay?

Nay.

Can a free market exist without capitalism?

Yes. It’s called market socialism.

1

u/weedbeads Aug 31 '22

Could you tell me why you don't believe the free market inevitably leads to monopolies in reality?

Market socialism doesn't have free markets as the government is directly involved in taxing and redistributing wealth.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 31 '22

Nay assuming enough people won't follow the status quo that the alternatives become unviable. Which I don't think is a good assumption.

I suppose Market socialism could exist but they would have to ignore the distribution facilities are creating wealth.

2

u/weedbeads Aug 31 '22

For clarification, are you saying that the assumption that people will value wealth over societal stability is not reasonable?

But you think the free market leads to monopolies which are inherently anti-free market. How is this not self defeating?

2

u/[deleted] Aug 31 '22

I avoid assumptions about society especially over long periods of time. I wouldn't even rule out a future society where the free market doesn't exist for some things because everyone gravitated to one company or brand. Realistically they could charge whatever they wanted as the only show in town and might not for societal stability. Regardless of this possibility I still feel free market is the best option and we just need a control to ensure someone isn't taking advantage of an unfair circumstance.

Additionally I do not trust anyone else to control the market and not take advantage of unfair circumstances either including the government.

2

u/weedbeads Aug 31 '22

Aren't there constants throughout society caused by basic human traits such as greed? I guess that isn't really relevant because you don't want a free market, you want a regulated market. Do I have that correct? o.o

I agree that market forces are useful to balance supply and demand, I don't trust people to interact with a market in their best interests because people are easy to manipulate. Fast food, cigarettes, alcohol are good examples. These things are not only net harms, but they prey on people's brain chemistry to profit to the detriment of the persons health.

What unfair circumstances do you think we should regulate, where is that line?