[xzins]

A free market is nothing if it isn't free. If at any point we arrive at a controlled or contrived market, then there's no use pretending that freedom exists in the market (or anywhere else for that matter.)

So, let's imagine that OPEC wins the day all competitors no longer exist.

They can now sell their product at the price of your slavery. They can get it because they're you're only option. In fact, they are so powerful that they can prevent your turning to other options because that, too, is just an "energy market."

Personally, I'd be interested in how we got to the point that the free market no longer existed. I would call whatever got us there "anti-free market."

[CarolinaGuitarman]

"A free market is nothing if it isn't free. If at any point we arrive at a controlled or contrived market, then there's no use pretending that freedom exists in the market (or anywhere else for that matter.)"

Which is why the government needs to get out of regulating pricing and the distribution of private property.

"So, let's imagine that OPEC wins the day all competitors no longer exist.

They can now sell their product at the price of your slavery. They can get it because they're you're only option. In fact, they are so powerful that they can prevent your turning to other options because that, too, is just an "energy market."

I am not entitled to their oil. They can price it anyway they wish. They cannot, however, prevent me from buying from someone else without initiating force. Where do I get the right to demand they give me their property at whatever price I want, regardless of what they wish to sell it at? A free market is only free when BOTH seller and buyer are free to accept or decline the terms of exchange. Anti-trust doesn't allow a seller to do that.