Perfect Markets and Easy Virtue: Business Ethics and the Invisible Hand (Mitsui Lectures in Economics)

Perfect Markets and Easy Virtue examines the effects of the market mechanism on economies and societies. It argues that perfect competition has a tendency to promote adulteration of products and a general deterioration in quality. It also contends that it is very difficult for competitive firms to behave in socially desirable ways - being kind to the environment, contributing to worthy social programmes, handling redundancy humanely. The book goes on to propose ways in which these flaws might be remedied without subverting the market mechanism. Argues that perfect competition has a tendency to promote a general deterioration in quality. The book also contends that it is very difficult for competitive firms to behave in socially desirable ways. It ends by suggesting solutions that lie within the market system. William J. Baumol With Sue Anne Batey Blackman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.