[95014_refugee]

> A free market should regulate itself.

... but it won't. Never has, never will. 'Regulation' serves a larger context, and the market does not value externalities.

[canada_dry]

> A free market should regulate itself. ... but it won't. Never has, never will.

The concept that capitalism works best if it's free from any/all regulation could work with a very strong shared societal moral fabric.

Sadly, Western culture accepts and even promotes greed and selfishness over the common good.