Re: Free-Market Economics

Guru George (gurugeorge@sugarland.idiscover.co.uk)
Thu, 10 Jul 1997 23:53:44 +0100


On Thu, 10 Jul 1997 13:39:23 PDT
"Bobby Whalen" <organix@hotmail.com> wrote:

> I have some questions about Free-Market Economics that I hope someone
>can answer.
>
> I will start by saying that I agree completely that a =93true=94
>free-market economy would be ideal. One that is competitive, open, and
>decentralized. But is a market free, if a company becomes so powerful
>that it establishes a near-monopoly on a given market and in turn
>prevents competition and progress form occurring?

>A good example now I
>believe is Microsoft.

You must be joking! Isn't one of the great whinges of our time how
terribly difficult it is to cope with progress and competition in
computers? Continuous upgrading seems to be the norm.

If your answer is no, then what methods or =93laws=94
>would enable the market to remain free and competitive without large
>corporations controlling policy? As an anarcho-libertarian I want to be
>free of any coercion, government or corporate. How do we as extropians
>propose to enhance the potential of a =93true=94 free-market taking hold?
>
The only way corporations can possibly coerce is by means of government.
When people say 'corporate coercion' in the usual sense, it's just
another whine.

Guru George