[padobson]

This sounds more like a political problem then an economic one. I won't suggest I have any idea how to alleviate the tension between market-forces and the government, and all the profiteers and rent-seekers in between.

But those problems are small compared to widespread food, medicine and energy shortages.

[redial]

I agree with everything you said, economically you are right, markets are the economy and you can't have a market with only one actor. But a market can turn unhealthy, at least from the point of view of a democracy. Many profit from its ever growing influence and usually the political class is not strong enough to counter its push.

[microcolonel]

> Many profit from its ever growing influence and usually the political class is not strong enough to counter its push.

And then when the political class is strong enough to counter it, it inevitably turns to tyranny because it enriches the political class in the short term.