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The concept of the free market does not exist in modern American society. Free market relies on the concept of supply and demand being the sole basis of an econ

The concept of the free market does not exist in modern American society. Free market relies on the concept of supply and demand being the sole basis of an economic system. Amazon's lobbying efforts to congress. Strongarm tactics for establishing warehouses in small towns with promises of high pay (effectively forcing a large population of a towns workforce to leave local jobs, building a reliance on Amazon within that community as few other businesses can provide what Amazon provides). Amazon has the money and the power to bend the market to their own will. That's not a free market. They have the supply, and they'll force your demand to them one way or another.

monero-xmr 3y ago
You are following absolutist thinking. There are indeed aspects that make America not a perfect free market. But is a free-er market than any other large developed economy. I purchase from Amazon, as well as many other web and brick-and-mortar stores. Amazon does not force me at gunpoint to buy from them. I don't understand why building a warehouse in a small town, where people voluntarily start to work for them (presumably by offering better pay, working conditions, and opportunity) is a bad thing. You have a zero-sum, incorrect understanding of market forces and how the economy works.
- notaustinpowers 3y ago
  Because the idea of free market capitalism, in the way Amazon lobbies for, is detrimental to the common good of the people. Which, per our own Constitution, is supposed to be the primary focus of our government. Free market capitalism (specifically Amazon's method) significantly results in market dominance, a macro-economic reliance on that company succeeding, and reduces social mobility among working class Americans. Market Dominance: Amazon has, in basic terms, brought upon the Walmart Effect throughout the US. And exacerbates the effect within the small towns where they build their warehouses. Macro-Economic Reliance: As Amazon employs 1.1m Americans, the macro-economics of America have become reliant on Amazon succeeding. Resulting in a fear, or at least a trepidation, in interfering with whatever Amazon wants to do. The threat of mass layoffs due to any state/local/federal regulations would have profound effects of the American economy. Something that, back when free market capitalism was seen as the most equal way to ensure competition, was not possible, and most likely not even conceived as being likely. Reduction in Social Mobility: Building off of the Market Dominance bit, this reduction in wages and revenue for small businesses/local businesses reduces the ability of everyday American citizens to build a successful business to provide social mobility for them and their children. And for employees, yes, they make great money working at an Amazon factory. But talk to many Amazon employees and they'll tell you it's grueling, backbreaking work. And when they have enough and decide to quit or are fired there are, typically, no jobs in their local area that either pay that well or that they may qualify for. I'm not saying Amazon is forcing you at gunpoint to buy from them. I'm saying that Amazon, due to our government's failure to intervene earlier on in their growth, has crafted the free market around them, has made it to where it's more difficult/annoying/impossible to not buy from them.
  - monero-xmr 3y ago
    They have the best product. It is not illegal to compete with them - anyone can start a warehouse or a web-based store, or a cloud hosting provider, or a last-mile logistics firm, and on and on. And there are tons of competitors. People choose Amazon because it is the best, hands down. It’s not impossible to not buy from them. It’s quite easy not to. You just choose to do so, because they are the best.

monero-xmr 3y ago

You are following absolutist thinking. There are indeed aspects that make America not a perfect free market. But is a free-er market than any other large developed economy. I purchase from Amazon, as well as many other web and brick-and-mortar stores. Amazon does not force me at gunpoint to buy from them. I don't understand why building a warehouse in a small town, where people voluntarily start to work for them (presumably by offering better pay, working conditions, and opportunity) is a bad thing. You have a zero-sum, incorrect understanding of market forces and how the economy works.

notaustinpowers 3y ago
Because the idea of free market capitalism, in the way Amazon lobbies for, is detrimental to the common good of the people. Which, per our own Constitution, is supposed to be the primary focus of our government. Free market capitalism (specifically Amazon's method) significantly results in market dominance, a macro-economic reliance on that company succeeding, and reduces social mobility among working class Americans. Market Dominance: Amazon has, in basic terms, brought upon the Walmart Effect throughout the US. And exacerbates the effect within the small towns where they build their warehouses. Macro-Economic Reliance: As Amazon employs 1.1m Americans, the macro-economics of America have become reliant on Amazon succeeding. Resulting in a fear, or at least a trepidation, in interfering with whatever Amazon wants to do. The threat of mass layoffs due to any state/local/federal regulations would have profound effects of the American economy. Something that, back when free market capitalism was seen as the most equal way to ensure competition, was not possible, and most likely not even conceived as being likely. Reduction in Social Mobility: Building off of the Market Dominance bit, this reduction in wages and revenue for small businesses/local businesses reduces the ability of everyday American citizens to build a successful business to provide social mobility for them and their children. And for employees, yes, they make great money working at an Amazon factory. But talk to many Amazon employees and they'll tell you it's grueling, backbreaking work. And when they have enough and decide to quit or are fired there are, typically, no jobs in their local area that either pay that well or that they may qualify for. I'm not saying Amazon is forcing you at gunpoint to buy from them. I'm saying that Amazon, due to our government's failure to intervene earlier on in their growth, has crafted the free market around them, has made it to where it's more difficult/annoying/impossible to not buy from them.
- monero-xmr 3y ago
  They have the best product. It is not illegal to compete with them - anyone can start a warehouse or a web-based store, or a cloud hosting provider, or a last-mile logistics firm, and on and on. And there are tons of competitors. People choose Amazon because it is the best, hands down. It’s not impossible to not buy from them. It’s quite easy not to. You just choose to do so, because they are the best.