Summary
Jeff Bezos has directed The Washington Post to only publish opinions supporting free market economics, prompting criticism that he is using his ownership to shield pro-capitalist ideology.
This shift comes after past editorial interference, including blocking an endorsement of Kamala Harris.
Critics argue Bezos’s claim that pro-market views are “underserved” is absurd, given their dominance in major newspapers.
The move highlights concerns over billionaire control of media and the suppression of alternative economic perspectives, particularly those advocating for greater government intervention and worker rights.
Maybe free markets are better if everyone started at 0. But in free (unregulated) markets, the prime incentive is to convert public goods (the Commons) into private property, at the expense and loss of society. Our regulations are to force companies to be less evil against people with fewer resources.
I think we need definitions. Example: the EU has an internal free market for goods. This market is definitely not unregulated.
Adam Smith, the father of modern capitalism, was very clear that free markets had to be well regulated by definition otherwise they would tend towards monopolies and non productive rent seeking behaviors. Only a well regulated free market can remain stable and competitive in the long run.
The capitalists aren’t even playing by their own playbook anymore they just want all the money and everyone else to die I guess.
Of course they don’t. Free market (how theory imagines it) is not pro capitalism. Competition is counterproductive to the profit motive, which is why large corporations look to kill the competition whenever they can.