How Did "Free Markets" Start? Page 5 of 5

 

4. Distribution Systems Privatized
The government's original intent of allowing "free market" centers to develop was to enable farmers to sell directly to consumers.  But the burden of farming and selling soon gave rise to an intermediary distribution and sales network developed by private entrepreneurs seizing a profit opportunity. These private entrepreneurs, who buy from farmers and resell in the "free markets", gave farmers a convenient way of getting their produce to market.  From there, a complex tier of independent "resellers" soon sprang up between the farmer and the consumer.
Farmers at a morning "free market".

 

Continue on to A 4-Tier Distribution System Emerges