[goatinaboat]

The market solves this problem. If China makes things too hard on intl businesses, the businesses will invest to go around China

You’re forgetting the time aspect. A government can play a longer game than most private investors.

Markets: 0.25 years

Western govts: 4-5 years

Autocratic regimes: lifetime of dictator

[hliyan]

Agree about free markets and time. Adam Smith's invisible hand moves slowly. The free market might solve all our problems (including pollution) over time, but our generation (and maybe even the next) may not be alive to see it. And the human casualties may be high. Which is why regulation and subsidies are a practical necessity.

[snowwrestler]

The lifetime of an autocratic regime is limited by their ability to control their population—see my 2nd paragraph.

[Siira]

> their ability to control their population

Seeing the results of protests in recent years, this ability seems to be ever increasing.