A Free Market Tesconomy
Manu Hübner | 02.10.2007 19:41 | Globalisation | Cambridge
There is a myth that the free market is a self-regulatory entity which steers us like an invisible hand towards the best possible future and the Holy Grail of prosperity.
There is a myth that the free market, if left to unfold itself, offers choice and diversity through healthy competition.
The fact is that the free market has spawned a handful of corporate Gargantuas, which claw for an ever increasing share of the market. Given the law of finite resources, someone’s gain in market share means someone else’s loss. Given the politics of laissez-faire, the gradual advance of the Gargantuas towards 100% market share means a gradual eradication of their competition and the rise of oligopolies or monopolies. Both are characterised by a lack of competition, choice and diversity – the very things that the free market claims to encourage. The invisible hand thus becomes the very palpable iron grip of a handful of market players.
With already three Superstores and three Express stores within 4.5 miles of the centre of Cambridge and now a seventh outlet applied for on Mill Road, the supermarket giant Tesco is voraciously pursuing its market share crusade. Mill Road is famous for its heterogeneity. Unlike the average high street, it abounds with small independent retailers, catering for all every-day needs. Mill Road is also one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares and a very densely populated area.
A Tesco outlet on Mill Road would not only adversely affect the area’s local colour and the livelihood of many smaller retailers, it would also worsen the already lamentable road situation through increased traffic, road-blocking delivery lorries and random curb parking. This would have a knock-on effect on the quality of life in this area since more congestion means increased air and noise pollution, compromised road safety and, just by the by, a stronger case for the introduction of the much disputed congestion charge. Last but not least, it would be another step towards a Free Market Tesconomy – not just in Cambridge but nationwide.
To find out more about how to take action and stop Tesco’s rampant sprawl in Cambridge visit the official "Keep Tesco off Mill Road" campaign website:
http://www.nomillroadtesco.org.
There is a myth that the free market, if left to unfold itself, offers choice and diversity through healthy competition.
The fact is that the free market has spawned a handful of corporate Gargantuas, which claw for an ever increasing share of the market. Given the law of finite resources, someone’s gain in market share means someone else’s loss. Given the politics of laissez-faire, the gradual advance of the Gargantuas towards 100% market share means a gradual eradication of their competition and the rise of oligopolies or monopolies. Both are characterised by a lack of competition, choice and diversity – the very things that the free market claims to encourage. The invisible hand thus becomes the very palpable iron grip of a handful of market players.
With already three Superstores and three Express stores within 4.5 miles of the centre of Cambridge and now a seventh outlet applied for on Mill Road, the supermarket giant Tesco is voraciously pursuing its market share crusade. Mill Road is famous for its heterogeneity. Unlike the average high street, it abounds with small independent retailers, catering for all every-day needs. Mill Road is also one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares and a very densely populated area.
A Tesco outlet on Mill Road would not only adversely affect the area’s local colour and the livelihood of many smaller retailers, it would also worsen the already lamentable road situation through increased traffic, road-blocking delivery lorries and random curb parking. This would have a knock-on effect on the quality of life in this area since more congestion means increased air and noise pollution, compromised road safety and, just by the by, a stronger case for the introduction of the much disputed congestion charge. Last but not least, it would be another step towards a Free Market Tesconomy – not just in Cambridge but nationwide.
To find out more about how to take action and stop Tesco’s rampant sprawl in Cambridge visit the official "Keep Tesco off Mill Road" campaign website:
http://www.nomillroadtesco.org.
Manu Hübner
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