Do you think free markets are good because they follow some procedural view of the good (i.e. liberty) or because they follow some end state view of the good (i.e. markets give us what we want?)
2007-07-22 17:33:08 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Both as free markets create the most wealth for the most people.
2007-07-23 03:14:02 · answer #1 · answered by Lighthearted 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Free markets are good because they are completely voluntary - allowing the rule of supply and demand to function as it should.
No one is forced to buy or sell, and buyers and sellers agree upon a mutually-beneficial price for the goods bought or sold.
I'd say the "procedural view" is more applicable as the "process" of completely free trade restricts the liberty of the buyer and seller the least, and it doesn't create any undesirable side-effects that affect uninvolved parties. Among these would be taxes to pay for subsidies that would be extracted from uninvolved parties, and criminal activities that often "overflow" onto uninvolved people when the government restricts what should be a free market. (Consider the violent acts that often follow drug deals as governmental restrictions create "black markets" and turfwars that would NOT exist if people could buy and sell drugs in a free market. This was proven during the failed experiemnt referred to as "prohibition" back in the '20's.)
Though there is no actual "end state" - as the market goes on and on without end - at any given point in the process of a free market, the best outcome is assured to all participants.
2007-07-23 15:23:36 · answer #2 · answered by val_vv 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither assumption is correct. Free markets are good because they allow for the individual's creativity and ability to solve problems while at the same time entering into mutual agreements with each other: a combination of signed contracts and/or the honor system. If any party violates whatever agreements are in place the offended party can pursue the matter in civil or some other court.
2007-07-24 08:54:09 · answer #3 · answered by Estelle Edwards 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
both, free markets have been thriving since man began, the state never succeeds in business as they are not geared to be business oriented
2007-07-23 04:59:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
free markets are good cause they give the freedom for the pursuit of happiness
2007-07-23 00:38:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kind of both, I'd think.
2007-07-23 00:39:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋