"In a Crisis, Liberty is Love"

Professor Innes defends markets in times of turmoil

“Price-gouging” as a business practice is a contentious economic issue among Christians. While some argue that supporting price-gouging is equal to idolizing markets, Professor of Politics David Innes argues on worldmag.com that free markets are merciful even in times of crisis.

In his article “In a Crisis, Liberty is Love,” Professor Innes argues that free markets leave more room for charity and an adequate recognition of property rights. “Exchanging goods at a market-determined price,” Innes writes, “respects the equality of dominion each party has over his property. And when need exceeds a person’s ability to pay, the godly merchant recognizes the equal humanity of the poor when he cuts them a separate deal."

Innes then responds to those who would have the government set prices, writing, “if it were up to the government to judge at all times who should pay and receive what and in what quantities according to their need and merit, it would need to be virtually omniscient, omnipotent, and perfectly just.” This, Professor Innes observes, amounts to what theologians call an “over realized eschatology,” which “always leads to inhumanity and horror.”

Click here to read the full article on worldmag.com.

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