3 ms·

Regardless of whether it's good or bad these places are closing down, don't be confused and think they're operating in a free market. Government policy has a hu

by zizee 3y ago

Regardless of whether it's good or bad these places are closing down, don't be confused and think they're operating in a free market. Government policy has a huge influence on their ability to survive. It will end with the majority of remaining pubs being large, soulless chains.

true_religion 3y ago
No markets in a civilized society are truly free. So I don’t think it’s very meaningful to point this out. What about government regulations is wrong here, and why would this result in soulless chain stores? Aren’t soulless chains the default resting state of a mature economic sector?
- zizee 3y ago
  > No markets in a civilized society are truly free. So I don’t think it’s very meaningful to point this out. I disagree. My comment was in direct response to the GP's comment of: > It's strange when businesspeople seem to expect that their business has a right to exist beyond profitability in the market place. When the "marketplace" is dictated by government policy, it's fair to question the effects of policy. You cannot handwaved it away with claims of some hand of God marketplace that no one has the ability to influence. > What about government regulations is wrong here I specifically stated I was not making claims of whether this result was good or bad. > and why would this result in soulless chain stores? You ask this, and then go on to say: > Aren’t soulless chains the default resting state of a mature economic sector? Clearly, the operating environment results in this sort of thing. The environment is influenced by government. Soulless chains need not be the default resting state. For instance, a government could introduce a prgressive company tax rate, or rules (like limits on number of liquor licenses a Corp can own), making it easier for small businesses to compete. Now, I will make a value judgement: soulless chains, and massive businesses are not good for society for many reasons. I would much rather live in a world of many competing small businesses, than a homogeneous pastiche of mediocrity.

by zizee 3y ago

true_religion 3y ago

No markets in a civilized society are truly free. So I don’t think it’s very meaningful to point this out. What about government regulations is wrong here, and why would this result in soulless chain stores? Aren’t soulless chains the default resting state of a mature economic sector?

zizee 3y ago
> No markets in a civilized society are truly free. So I don’t think it’s very meaningful to point this out. I disagree. My comment was in direct response to the GP's comment of: > It's strange when businesspeople seem to expect that their business has a right to exist beyond profitability in the market place. When the "marketplace" is dictated by government policy, it's fair to question the effects of policy. You cannot handwaved it away with claims of some hand of God marketplace that no one has the ability to influence. > What about government regulations is wrong here I specifically stated I was not making claims of whether this result was good or bad. > and why would this result in soulless chain stores? You ask this, and then go on to say: > Aren’t soulless chains the default resting state of a mature economic sector? Clearly, the operating environment results in this sort of thing. The environment is influenced by government. Soulless chains need not be the default resting state. For instance, a government could introduce a prgressive company tax rate, or rules (like limits on number of liquor licenses a Corp can own), making it easier for small businesses to compete. Now, I will make a value judgement: soulless chains, and massive businesses are not good for society for many reasons. I would much rather live in a world of many competing small businesses, than a homogeneous pastiche of mediocrity.