Capitalism

John Oliver and Monopoly Capitalism

John Oliver and Monopoly Capitalism

February 21, 2018

Corporate concentration of income and wealth are core features of capitalism. From its earliest cheerleaders like Adam Smith, the drive for corporations to get ever larger and in the doing drive their competitors out of the market was noted and warned against. John Oliver provides a thorough and amusing introduction.


Capitalism

Regulations vs Protections – more than just words

Regulations vs Protections – more than just words

May 7, 2017

The word “regulation” has been used as an epithet and rhetorical sledge hammer by Republicans and the centrist Bill Clinton Democrats as part of a general campaign to discredit anything that the government might do. This is part of the decades long political strategy of the rich and corporations to puff up the delights of “free markets”.


Capitalism

United Airlines, Monopoly/Oligopoly, The Natural Laws of Capitalism

United Airlines, Monopoly/Oligopoly, The Natural Laws of Capitalism

April 17, 2017

In the US four airlines control over 80% of the seats and in many regional markets the competition veers towards a state of monopoly. There is simply no effective competitive controls on what the airlines can charge and under what conditions.This has lead to persistent high fares and a seemingly endless series of innovations in how many people can be jammed into a plane with as many extra charges tacked on for fewer and fewer amenities.