A free market can be described as one where every individual is free to make decisions about what is best for himself or herself based on his or her circumstances and assumptions. In that limited sense, there is only a free market. Human nature and the reality of economics and human interaction dictate that every action a person takes is the result of a free choice among given alternatives. There are many circumstances where the choices are temporarily or artificially limited, such as during a war or a natural disaster, under decrees from kings, or finding yourself in the middle of the desert with no water.
People in communist countries, totalitarian regimes and socialist societies are actually free to choose, and they, of necessity, use that freedom every moment of their lives. In those situations, the range of alternatives is severely limited and they must often choose between less than desirable alternatives. But in every case, the citizens of even the most repressive government use the same logic as someone under absolute freedom. They make their decisions regarding what are the best courses of action based on their present circumstances and assumptions about what will happen in the future.
Even in those countries with government controls over every economic activity, people will find ways to fulfill their needs, though that sometimes includes weighing the possibility of imprisonment or death into the decision making process. That is the primary reason that black markets thrive in controlled economies. The benefit of getting what they need is worth more to the individuals than the higher cost of the good or service and the risk of getting caught. A person’s actions adjust to the given circumstances.
A society is made up of people and people are, by nature, free to make their own decisions in all cases. A government is only capable of imposing limitations on the choices available to it’s citizens, but within those limitations, it cannot take away the freedom to choose.
The question becomes, not whether freedom to choose is better than lack of freedom to choose, but rather what limitations are appropriate for individuals in government to impose on the freedom to choose that is the very nature of humanity.
The United States Of America was founded on the ideal that government is best that governs least, that imposes the least amount of limitation on the alternatives available for the free choice of it’s citizens. The very nature of the constitution and the bill of rights imposes severe limitations on government and makes clear that all rights not specifically granted to government are reserved for the people. Government was intended to be small and have a minimal influence in the lives of American citizens, though the modern reality is continually moving away from that ideal.
It is clear that nations that impose severe restrictions on the citizens and show a callous disregard for their freedom to choose are countries that select poverty for their nation, malnutrition, shortened life spans, increased infant mortality and every other social ill. It is becoming more apparent that successful, developed countries can, indeed go backward as increasing economic restrictions are imposed and ill advised policies discourage free trade and economic activity.
As the United States follows blindly in the footsteps of economic policy makers and social moralists in France, Germany and other staggering economies, we can look forward to ever increasing permanent unemployment, economic stagnation and a reduced standard of living for all, including the poor. It is not a coincidence that France has had many years of double digit unemployment, given the attitude and policies of disdain toward business and employers and consumers. It is not a coincidence that the well being for all people of any country is highly correlated with the level of economic freedom in that country.
It is also not a coincidence that the United States occupies it’s current stature among the world’s economies. It is economic freedom that got us there. It is economic freedom which will keep us among the leaders, always ahead of countries that choose control and stagnation and decline.
Let us, as a country, move away from increasing government limitations and control as solutions to our problems. Let us instead choose to lead the world again to progress and prosperity, and regain our post as a beacon for countries that want to draw their people out of poverty and despair. Let us choose freedom instead of government, and replace stagnation with prosperity for all.