Found in 6 comments on Hacker News
e12e · 2020-08-10 · Original thread
You might also find Michael Woodiwiss' "Gangster Capitalism: The United States and the Globalization of Organized Crime" interesting.

https://www.amazon.com/Gangster-Capitalism-United-Globalizat...

e12e · 2019-06-05 · Original thread
I don't think that's true, we have serious issues pricing externalities correctly, and making sure the correct party pays for them. Way too often the bill for risk and cleanup lands on the (local) goverment/public - sometimes long after the profit has been made.

Common and extreme cases are pollution of the type we see on Nigeria where global conglomerates are "allowed" to ignore safety standards by a corrupt government. Eg: https://www.bbc.com/news/10313107

See also:

Michael Woodiwiss Gangster Capitalism: The United States and the Globalization of Organized Crime

https://www.amazon.com/Gangster-Capitalism-United-Globalizat...

Ed: and another example of problematic incetives is allowing power production for profit. We generally agree we need to use less energy, and yet have businesses that make more money when they can sell more energy... Sure, it might be a benefit to relatively sell more "green" energy - but really, the ideal energy company would make the most money when it got its customers to buy less energy....

e12e · 2017-09-03 · Original thread
Or maybe start with Michael Woodiwiss: "Gangster Capitalism: The United States and the Globalization of Organized Crime" for a depressing look at the bleak history of corporate criminal behaviour...

https://www.amazon.com/Gangster-Capitalism-United-Globalizat...

e12e · 2017-06-27 · Original thread
I'm against a free market precisely because the governments of Europe have a great track record in the periods they've adhered to "true" labour/socialist values. Universal healthcare, universal access to education, help with housing, regulations on the labour market - all things that have greatly improved lives of consumers.

Centralised power generally means a departure from direct democracy, and that's one reason why I'm not a fan of the EU.

For a great view into why a regulated market might just be better than an unregulated one, have read of:

https://www.amazon.com/Gangster-Capitalism-United-Globalizat...

e12e · 2013-12-10 · Original thread
For some more background on the need (or lack thereof) of reviewing work conditions in all industries, I warmly recommend:

"Gangster Capitalism: The United States and the Globalization of Organized Crime"

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gangster-Capitalism-United-Globaliza...

The fact that other industries manage to (both literally and figuratively) throw their own workers under the bus, should give extra pause in legalizing work that have strong associations to abuse, degradation and harm.

e12e · 2013-08-25 · Original thread
You might enjoy "Gangster Capitalism: The United States and the Global Rise of Organized Crime":

http://www.amazon.com/Gangster-Capitalism-United-Globalizati...

Fresh book recommendations delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday.