Free markets are a myth designed to oppress and rip off the subservient, the losers (countries, groups, etc.), the dependent, the poor, employees, etc. Free markets have never existed and never will. (See the US, a very controlled, protectionist, economy in the hands of...) The freedom is on the side of the powerful, those with the guns, nukes, and so on.

Trite tales of exchanges benefiting all (your coconuts or your daughter for my boat) are folklore erected to practically religious status, slathered in ideology and numbers that make no sense, far more powerful than Islam, Catholicism, or Soccer mom principles, for ex.

In a way, it is new religion. An organizing principle that nobody dares contest, everybody has to pay lip service to; making profits is wonderful, except that, on the ground, err -

the profits seem to be extracted from ppl /countries / groups who object; deplete natural resources, and create social strife, and lead to wars...Duh.

The experts (with guns and bombs in the background, and pay offs for the top officials) tell ppl they have to sell at ‘market value’ which is only what the rich will pay.

Russia lost the ‘cold war’, and was subjected to a heavy dose of ‘modernity’ and ‘free markets’ and now the US is going down the tubes for the same reason. The debt bubble (free market for the lenders, impunity in law) will plunge the US into deep recession, or even outright stark depression.