Well, we can continue the argument on semantics. Nothing is totally unregulated, except laws of physics and nature. There are always some ground rules, usually formalized as laws which regulate behavior and permissable actions.
One of the assumptions in a theortically perfect 'free market economy' is that demand is not artifically regulated, either by government or suppliers. Given the high entry cost, the relative low number of players, and the greed of the industry, this basic free market tenet was not present. Suppliers manipulated availability because they knew there was no recourse, no alternate suppliers. Energy is a bad candidate for free market access, because it is not easily 'importable', cannot be stockpiled, has high entry cost, and a long lead-time for increasing capacity.
If someone could invent affordable portable fusion sources, I would be all for complete free market 'unregulation' of the energy market. Until then, it is too easy to manipulate and fall prey to the inevitable Enrons of the world. |
