Comments on: Free Markets Vs Competitive Markets http://weakonomics.com/2010/03/25/free-markets-vs-competitive-markets/ Everything That's Wrong With You And Your Money Wed, 23 May 2012 01:09:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: JW http://weakonomics.com/2010/03/25/free-markets-vs-competitive-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-3745 JW Sat, 27 Mar 2010 04:45:58 +0000 http://weakonomics.com/?p=4018#comment-3745 Interesting post. I used to feel the way you do regarding intellectual property and copyrights and all that, but I've seen some fairy convincing arguments that the world wouldn't be so bad if much of those protections were loosened or eliminated. I feel that businesses are not necessarily "pro-market"; as you point out, businesses hate regulation that put costs on them, but love regulation that gives them a monopoly (e.g. IP) or forms them into a cartel (e.g. unions, trade groups, etc.), which is truly not "free-market"--such forms add more costs to the consumers to the benefit of the business. I believe that the government should stick to the basics regarding regulation: enforcing contracts, prosecuting fraud, and protecting the liberty, property, and persons of citizens. Focusing on these few things and doing them extremely well is more likely to result in positive outcomes than trying to micromanage everything. Interesting post. I used to feel the way you do regarding intellectual property and copyrights and all that, but I’ve seen some fairy convincing arguments that the world wouldn’t be so bad if much of those protections were loosened or eliminated. I feel that businesses are not necessarily “pro-market”; as you point out, businesses hate regulation that put costs on them, but love regulation that gives them a monopoly (e.g. IP) or forms them into a cartel (e.g. unions, trade groups, etc.), which is truly not “free-market”–such forms add more costs to the consumers to the benefit of the business.

I believe that the government should stick to the basics regarding regulation: enforcing contracts, prosecuting fraud, and protecting the liberty, property, and persons of citizens. Focusing on these few things and doing them extremely well is more likely to result in positive outcomes than trying to micromanage everything.

]]> By: Rob Bennett http://weakonomics.com/2010/03/25/free-markets-vs-competitive-markets/comment-page-1/#comment-3739 Rob Bennett Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:27:53 +0000 http://weakonomics.com/?p=4018#comment-3739 My view is that a free market is the best default position. In cases where the free market cannot get the job done, it makes sense to turn to government. Rob .-= Rob Bennett´s last blog ..<a href="http://arichlife.passionsaving.com/2010/03/25/get-rich-slowly-moderators-shut-down-discussion-of-the-flaws-of-buy-and-hold-investing/" rel="nofollow">Get Rich Slowly Moderators Shut Down Discussion of the Flaws of Buy-and-Hold Investing</a> =-. My view is that a free market is the best default position.

In cases where the free market cannot get the job done, it makes sense to turn to government.

Rob
.-= Rob Bennett´s last blog ..Get Rich Slowly Moderators Shut Down Discussion of the Flaws of Buy-and-Hold Investing =-.

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