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The economy can only flourish when there is a free market. We all agree with this statement, but what does it mean? What are its implications, and where do government regulations fit in the big picture?

If we want to understand the impact of government regulations on the financial industry, we must decipher the role government plays in the economy. This article aims to do precisely that.

What Is The Free Market?

The free market embodies the spirit of pure capitalism. It can be explained as a fair and unrestricted economic system where prices are solely determined by natural competition between private enterprises.

A free market cannot exist if the government interrupts its free functioning. The more the government regulates the system, the more it will impact the market economy. The after-effects might be good or bad, depending on how you measure them.

How Do Government Regulations Affect The Free Market?

Countries like Russia have come under heavy sanctions by the US, ultimately affecting Eastern Europe’s economy. Trade sanctions, heavy duties, and restrictions forcing other nations to steer clear of Russia have weakened the region’s economic conditions. This is just one example of how government intervention can affect a nation’s economy.

The US Student Debt Crisis

Let’s look at another example and head toward the gleaming USA, one of the most expensive countries for education. Colleges weren’t this expensive before, at least not when the free market was in charge. But all that changed when the US government started guaranteeing student loans back in 1965. A ‘progressive’ move that had unexpected results.

Because of government actions, banks started offering high-volume loans to students while being extremely lenient on approvals. Since the loans were government-guaranteed, banks felt more secure doling out approvals to most applicants. As a result, colleges increased their prices, which prompted more and more students to depend on loans.

America’s student loan crisis is particularly infamous, and we can learn a lot from their mistakes. It’s the perfect example of the dangers of crony capitalism and its negative impact on the financial economy.

Does Government Regulation Mean Higher Prices?

There is a common question amongst the business-minded in 2023; do more government regulations mean higher prices when it comes to production? Well, in some ways, it does. Read ahead to learn how.

 Cryptocurrency

Let’s look at Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency sector powered by blockchain technology. This is the perfect case of ‘No regulation, No taxes.’ Government regulations will increase the cost of the service, which means we will have to pay more to use the blockchain. 

In such a scenario, regulation seems unnecessary and only leads to a price surge. However, there are certain cases where regulations are necessary; for example, environmental and human rights regulations.

Environmental Regulations

Corporations and conglomerates must spend a lot of resources to take environmental measures, as stated by the government. This is undoubtedly causing a strain on the corporation’s financial capital, affecting profit margins and stock prices. But without such regulations, the environmental impact created by such corporations would be catastrophic. 

Tariff Rates

There’s always a tax on everything that comes and goes out of every country. This is called the tariff, and it directly affects exports and imports, impacting the overall financial economy.

Simply put, a high tariff rate on certain goods and commodities will lead to higher prices. If the demand can’t meet the supply after this, the country won’t have much incentive to import or export the particular commodity. On the other hand, low tariff rates on a specific good embolden the market to focus on importing or exporting it. 

Tax Policies

With regulations come taxes, which affect every aspect of the financial economy. Corporate tax rates dictate whether or not a specific country can gain investments, which in turn determines economic growth. High tax rates mean low investment and high production costs, leading to economic decline.

Government’s Role In Financial Markets

Certain regulations actually come with a myriad of benefits that help ensure economic projections come true in the long run. Government organizations will often back certain industries and enterprises, to help boost their growth. The global fossil fuel and agricultural sectors enjoy a certain level of support, agreeably so. But on the other hand, it can also lead to crony capitalism, which is bad news for everyone except the bodies that regulate them.

Governments across the globe also appoint special regulatory bodies to oversee financial trade in the stock market. The purpose is to ensure fair trading and prevent any cases of stock manipulation, financial mismanagement, or fraud. Overall, it is absolutely beneficial for investors, consumers, and the market as a whole. 

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