Free market

page type::article thing type::phrase thing type::semantic chameleon

About
"Free market" is a semantic chameleon phrase; it can refer to any of the following:
 * 1. a marketplace where all individuals are free to choose their transactions (free-as-in-uncoerced)
 * 2. a marketplace free of any regulations or rules (free-as-in-unregulated)
 * 2a. a marketplace free of any regulations or rules other than enforcement of voluntary contracts

The confusion between these differences is often exploited in a semantic bait-and-switch argument to reach the fallacious conclusion that regulation is bad for freedom:
 * The bait: Free markets [definition 1] have been proven to be effective creators of wealth. By allowing individuals to seek the most optimal trade of value for price, such markets cull out waste and dishonesty while encouraging productive and efficient production.
 * The hook: We must eliminate all government interference in order to have a truly free market [definition 2]
 * The conflation: Government regulation is to blame for any lack of freedom in the marketplace, and therefore should be eliminated.

The opposite is true; regulation is in fact necessary in order to maintain individual freedom within a marketplace.