The readings raised serious concern on the effect of policy making. Dissatisfied with the peddlers for creating unsanitary conditions, and blocking space on the street, the merchants believed they would benefit if they could eradicate the pushcarts. With the help of the campaign by LaGuardia they were able to achieve their goal. However much to their discontent, they found that it didn’t reduce competition but only managed to shun away their customers. I wonder, (in this case, and in general) whether it could be better to follow a laissez faire market system? All these market regulation, end up benefitting the select few, and even reduce some to unemployment.
The idea of free market system comes under scrutiny when the war tempted the merchants to raise the prices, which eventually resulted in riots. To me, it seemed like there was a monopoly of the food, and the imbalance of exportation to importation. What can the government do to prevent monopolization of the market? And if there is no one group in complete control of the market, wouldn’t that force the marketer to consider the interest of the consumers since they would be competing with other sellers?