[Vision2020] The Free Market

[Paul Rumelhart]

I wanted to raise this topic, because I've seen it bandied about here on 
the list.

In my opinion, the "free market" (as I understand it) is a cold, mean 
place that cares nothing about ethics, employee rights, the environment, 
etc.  It's a consequence of this idea that "business" is somehow 
different in the history of human affairs.  You know - "it's just 
business".  It's ok to do anything you can within the law (or outside 
the law if you can get away with it) as long as it's in the name of 
"profit" or it helps the stockholders.  Think "robber barons" to get the 
general idea.

So, how is the "free market" supposed to work?  I see it bandied about 
as this Great Thing, but I just don't see it.  What would happen if the 
government sat back and took out all legislation involving the 
regulation of monopolies, the imposition of environmental controls, the 
minimum wage, and all other government intervention in this area?  What 
would this mythical market look like?  Would the world really be a 
better place?  And for whom?

Paul