Category Archives: Harm through the market

Oligopolies and monopolies are very important ways of obtaining income without providing a productive service. They produce goods, a productive service. However, they receive additional income by raising prices, and their oligopoly/monopoly profits are distinguished by economists from normal profits and other expenses, which are the returns to productive activity. There are other harmful aspects to concentration and large firms as well, including restriction of innovation, using patents to defend market position, labor market power, including non-compete requirements for their employees, and substantial political power.  It is important to bring out that this harm involves the productive sector. Goods are being produced, but part of the income is from harmful activity. This is very often true–harmful activity is intertwined with productive. Also see Obtaining income from the government as both are often involved. Tax havens are another way in which taxes can be minimized and income from corruption can be laundered.

Harm through the market 2022

Big pharma and GOP allies aim to sabotage Medicare drug price reforms Jake Johnson Common Dreams January 1, 2022
“All the contributions they make and all their lobbying money gives them a lot of power,” Democratic Rep. Peter Welch said of the pharmaceutical industry.

The shameful open secret behind Southwest’s failure Zeynep Tufekci New York Times December 31, 2022 (opinion)

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Harm to the environment 2022

Congress offers $1 billion for climate aid, falling short of Biden’s pledge Lisa Friedman New York Times December 20, 2022
Activists called the funding to help developing countries cope with the impacts of climate change “hugely disappointing.” The pledge was to spend $11.4 billion annually by 2024 to ensure developing nations can transition to clean energy and adapt to a warming planet.

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