"Free markets" are a myth.

The only way a market can function is with a strong government because markets require regulation and courts to function. They require a stable financial system. None of this is possible without government. Sorry to all the anarcho-capitalists.

Also, I didn't say "free markets". I said "capitalism". It's interesting that so many use these terms interchangeable and they're not interchangeable. For the longest time I knew people didn't know what socialism is. Thing is, most people don't actually know what capitalism is either.

Markets aren't predicated on capitalism. Markets exist in every economic system and predate capitalism by thousands of years. Capitalism is merely who gets to extract the surplus value of labor. In feudalism it went to lords and kings. In capitalism, it goes to capital owners. They're otherwise functionally equivalent. We've simply replaced the divine right of kings to deifying the ultra-wealthy.

EDIT: fixed typo

It's not a free market. Capitalism is about capital accumulation, not fair markets in some sense.

You can have free markets without having an aristocracy.

Free markets with high taxes.

Capitalism isn't the free market. Capitalism is actually a rather unfree market. Free markets would be better.

you think the free market EVER existed? oh you sweet summer child. it has been owned and run by the ultra wealthy since day one. there is no "fair" with the free market, because not everything is equal. education, defense, banking, healthcare are not meant to turn a profit, but here we are.