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Not disagreeing with what you're saying, but is that the right terminology? Once you start pulling levers and putting thumbs on scales like that, is it still a
by ifyoubuildit 5y ago
Not disagreeing with what you're saying, but is that the right terminology? Once you start pulling levers and putting thumbs on scales like that, is it still a "free" market?
- ericd 5y agoPeople always argue about this when it comes up, it’s basically the no true Scotsman thing. Call it what you want, but it’s generally a lot more “free market” than targeted subsidies/penalties designed by legislators - eg $5000 back if you buy an EV, but only if that manufacturer has sold less than 500,000 cars, and a bonus if it was made in a union shop with x% American parts.
- ifyoubuildit 5y agoLike I said, I'm not opposed to what you're saying, it just seems like calling it the free market is just distracting from your point, which is to solve this with regulations. The contradiction kind of jumped out at me, and it sounds like it has jumped out at others before based on what you said. Your original comment could be paraphrased as "regulate the market and then let the unregulated market do its magic." Why not just avoid all that and just take out the "free" part? Its the market part thats doing the work.
- ericd 5y agoMaybe you're right, feel free to ignore the "free" if it makes it make more sense, the "free" part wasn't the point so much as letting the market decide where carbon is worth a steep price and where it isn't.
- bo1024 5y agoIrrelevant. Markets work well for society when there is a lot of competition and when winning is aligned with social good. If we can change the rules to help the second while keeping the first, it’s a win win.
- ifyoubuildit 5y agoAgain, I'm not saying the market should be free. I'm asking if parent is being inaccurate with their language.