Addiction in Free Markets Summary

296 Words2 Pages
“Addiction in Free Markets” In “Addiction in Free Markets,” Bruce K. Alexander and Stefa Shaler argue that free market societies “universally dislocate their members, leading to mass addiction.” According to Alexander and Shaler mass addiction developed from mass dislocation because “today’s free market fundamentalists ignore all previously understood limits.” To fill the void of dislocation “people in this predicament . . . cling to their substitute life styles with a tenacity that is properly called addiction.” In the late 16th and early 19th centuries Europe became a Free Market. “Those who resisted the new realities to strenuously were further dislocated.” With the approval of the imperial government, aboriginal people were dislocated by “dislocated British emigrants.” “Although alcohol consumption and drunkenness on festive occasions was widespread in Europe . . . mass alcoholism was not a problem.” With free markets beginning in the 1500’s “alcoholism gradually spread” and “became a raging epidemic . . . after 1800.” When looking at the “history of Native Canadians” relationships between addiction, dislocation, and free market society “is clearly visible.” “Prior to the destruction of native culture,” alcohol was used ceremonially. Cultures that were subjected to dislocation were likely to mimic actions that link to mass addiction. “Members of the free market society generally still cherish the hope that free markets will create universal well being.” In respect to them we ignore the connections to addiction, free markets and dislocation. Finally Alexander and Shaler argue that the spread of alcoholism is not a result of a “criminal” or “medical” problem but is “but is primarily a political and spiritual problem.” Changing our arguments on addiction is essential for political action to occur. “The key to controlling addiction is maintaining a society in
Open Document