[tomdekan]

That’s a very cynical view.

Do the biggest companies not create the most value for the world?

Consider this. If the most successful companies are simply cheating customers, then most consumers are stupid; handing offer their hard-earned money for bad deals and to be exploited.

But most people are not stupid, and most people highly value their money. So, they only buy something because they want what the seller is offering even more than their money. This means that companies create great value because they offer something that people really want.

[noooooooph]

This assumes there are compelling alternatives in the market that I can choose from. In reality, there are only a few entrenched players in any established market that work hard to limit competition. So yes, even if I'd like to choose not to hand over my hard-earned money to Evil Corp #93, I can only do the "stupid" thing and watch myself and my environment get exploited.

[tomdekan]

Also, I don’t think my previous comment does assume that there are compelling alternatives.

A person always has a choice not to spend their money. Even if they need expensive healthcare, they can choose not to buy it. By buying the product, they want the service more than their money.

They might think that the price is too high, but prices are a function of market forces.

It doesn’t make sense to me that a person can say they feel exploited because they have voluntarily chosen to buy at a particular price. They probably want to pay less, and might feel that the consumer surplus is low, but they still value the service more than their money. That isn’t exploitation to me.

[tomdekan]

I disagree with the general comment that “any established market” has “only a few entrenched players”. I’d say that most markets provide compelling alternatives. Where they don’t yet, the product is either a commodity, or there is an opportunity for a new business to serve the customer!

But let’s say your point is true. How do those players become entrenched? I’d say it’s from providing great value.