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FightinTiger 
Georgia Tech Fan
wat
Member since Oct 2003
7660 posts
| Is Everything, Ultimately, Governed by the Free Market? (Posted on 3/2/13 at 1:14 am)
The free market is often referred to as a sort of option, or style, of running things. I contend that it is (as it is also often referred to) a set of principles. Granted I don't advocate for a truly "free market" (one with no regulation), but one similar to the one we have.
The question for you, then, is this: Is everything governed by the free market? If we see the free market as a set of principles, then we can reach no other conclusion than that every economy and nation is governed by it. If we see it as a system that can be implemented, then of course it applies only in areas where the legislation and society allow it to.
I think it's a sort of law and a set of principles; it always applies, and we can see some of the results of it on a macro scale.
Thoughts?
Full disclosure: I've been drinking a little heavily in the evenings lately, and tend to wax philosophical and think about odd things. If this question doesn't make sense to you, it's your fault. You aren't drunk.
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Blue Velvet 
Colorado State Fan
Venice, LA
Member since Nov 2009
12639 posts
| re: Is Everything, Ultimately, Governed by the Free Market? (Posted on 3/2/13 at 1:18 am to FightinTiger)
What free market?
ETA: LINK
This post was edited on 3/2 at 1:19 am
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FightinTiger
Georgia Tech Fan
wat
Member since Oct 2003
7660 posts
| re: Is Everything, Ultimately, Governed by the Free Market? (Posted on 3/2/13 at 1:27 am to Blue Velvet)
I'm self employed. And hawt.
Let's make out.
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Blue Velvet
Colorado State Fan
Venice, LA
Member since Nov 2009
12639 posts
| re: Is Everything, Ultimately, Governed by the Free Market? (Posted on 3/2/13 at 2:41 am to FightinTiger)
k
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JEAUXBLEAUX 
LSU Fan
Bayonne, NJ
Member since May 2006
38492 posts
| re: Is Everything, Ultimately, Governed by the Free Market? (Posted on 3/2/13 at 3:49 am to Blue Velvet)
(no message)
This post was edited on 3/2 at 3:50 am
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Patrick O Rly 
New Orleans Saints Fan
y u do dis?
Member since Aug 2011
25507 posts
 Online
| re: Is Everything, Ultimately, Governed by the Free Market? (Posted on 3/2/13 at 7:17 am to FightinTiger)
There are markets, but they're not free, and some of them are subsidized and artificially inflated. It's hard to answer the question you because I think the premise is faulty. Also I'm not sure what you mean by the market being "a set of principles." Maybe you're referring to something as simple as supply and demand, but both can (and do) get manipulated by outside forces.
We could have close to a free market if we emphasized liability as protection for the consumer rather than crony based regulation sold as consumer protection.
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Zach
LSU Fan
Member since May 2005
55339 posts
| re: Is Everything, Ultimately, Governed by the Free Market? (Posted on 3/2/13 at 8:50 am to Patrick O Rly)
There is an interesting op ed piece in the WSJ, Wed or Thur. It describes Obama's view of the universe. He sees elements of the free market (businesses, workers, production) as satellites that revolve around the source of all goodness, Government. Think of the sun as the source of energy on Earth.
Therefore growth of government is necessary to shine more energy down to the revolving satellites. Without the sun/government all of these planets/free enterprise would whither away and die.
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Sheep 
USA Fan
Straight Outta Acy
Member since Jun 2007
12970 posts
| re: Is Everything, Ultimately, Governed by the Free Market? (Posted on 3/2/13 at 8:59 am to FightinTiger)
quote:
the Free Market
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FightinTiger
Georgia Tech Fan
wat
Member since Oct 2003
7660 posts
| re: Is Everything, Ultimately, Governed by the Free Market? (Posted on 3/2/13 at 10:52 am to Sheep)
quote:
Sheep
Did your farmer frick you into a fit of giggles or what?
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IceTiger
USA Fan
OKC
Member since Oct 2007
8902 posts
| re: Is Everything, Ultimately, Governed by the Free Market? (Posted on 3/2/13 at 11:08 am to FightinTiger)
A "free market" sways policy and fulfills wants and needs...
Based on the opinion of those in the market...
So whoever controls mass opinion...
Controls the wants of the public peacefully...
North Korea does it one way, American Politicians do it another.
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davesdawgs 
Georgia Fan
Georgia
Member since Oct 2008
10971 posts
| re: Is Everything, Ultimately, Governed by the Free Market? (Posted on 3/2/13 at 11:43 am to FightinTiger)
quote:
Is Everything, Ultimately, Governed by the Free Market?
Technically the world does not have a global free market economy and possibly never will due to government intervention. But if you leave out the word, free, then yes market forces certainly have a major impact on the world economy. A true free market economy is self-regulating even in the event of monopolies. However, you might also view our hybrid economy with government intervention as self-regulating. A good example is the trade relationship between China and the U.S. China manufactures low cost goods with cheap labor and by devaluing their currency creating a huge trade deficit between the 2 nations. The U.S. economy declines creating less demand for goods in general and our government responds by inflating our currency and keeping interest rates low which means U.S. debt held by China is worth less. China responds by investing in bargain tangible assets in the U.S.
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SmackoverHawg 
Arkansas Fan
Member since Oct 2011
5749 posts
Online
| re: Is Everything, Ultimately, Governed by the Free Market? (Posted on 3/2/13 at 11:49 am to davesdawgs)
In theory, the free market system would ultimately be the best and most efficient. However, there would be growing pains and politicians will never allow things to run their natural course. Instead they insist on fixing it 'til it's broke. 
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TigerJeff
LSU Fan
the Emerald Coast
Member since Oct 2006
8804 posts
| re: Is Everything, Ultimately, Governed by the Free Market? (Posted on 3/2/13 at 5:33 pm to FightinTiger)
No
In a pure free market system, Ford would have been allowed to continue making Pintos, knowing they exploded when hit in the rear. Ultimately, the market would have protected drivers, I guess -- most ppl don't like getting blown up and dying on fire in their cars, and will stop buying Pintos. There are such things called "public goods" that the free market is not designed to provide. Worth looking into.
This post was edited on 3/2 at 5:35 pm
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