Back in 2004, Ben Powell wrote a Mises Daily Article entitled "What's Wrong with Monopoly (the game)?", about all that is wrong with the classic board game. Well, this evening I stumbled across a spin-off called Anti-Monopoly. I have never actually played this version, so I can't vouch for it, but at least from the description it sounds much more Austrian/free-market friendly than the original. Does anyone own this game? I wonder if the LvMI can sell it through their store.
Here is the description:
"It's the real estate game for the 21st century! Inspired by the original Monopoly game, Anti-Monopoly is where free-market competitors clash with ruthless monopolists...you just have to decide which one you want to be. Players who choose to be competitors charge fair rent, create supply and demand and can end a price war. Monopolists, on the other hand, are greedy, charge high rents, restrict supply and can go to prison for price fixing. The players follow different rules, depending on their status, in their quest for big money and real estate
Players must choose free enterprise or monopoly, and each group must adhere to different rules. Will the winner be the competitor who charges fair market value for rent? Or will it be the monopolist who takes control over entire regions and charges higher fees? Anything can happen in Anti-Monopoly!"
DW89:and can go to prison for price fixing
Here's the problem.
"If we wish to preserve a free society, it is essential that we recognize that the desirability of a particular object is not sufficient justification for the use of coercion."
Monopoly is a fun game, need it be realistic?
Abstract liberty, like other mere abstractions, is not to be found.
- Edmund Burke
laminustacitus: Monopoly is a fun game, need it be realistic?
That reminds me of a story by Walter Block. He use to play Risk with Murray Rothbard and one time Murray told him that anarchists are the only ones who can actually have fun at the game because they weren't actually trying to do it in real life.
'Men do not change, they unmask themselves' - Germaine de Stael
This is funny. Ever sense I emerged myself deeper into what actually composes capitalism and free society, I've found the misinterpretation shown in Monopoly to be humorous and curious. I was thinknig about writing a tongue-in-cheek, perhaps even sardonic, article on the subject. Seem there isn't any need... which is fine, I'm procrastinating enough.
My personal Anarcho-Capitalist flag. The symbol in the center stands for "harmony" and "protection"-- I'm hoping to illustrate the bond between order/justice and anarchy.
I have the game, but have never played it.
Meh I always heard it was Georgist propaganda to begin with.
When I played it, I used to change the rules a bit - such as the addition of bank loans, interest payments, etc.
Having a game which supposedly promotes free enterprise where the bad guy faction is imprisoned for "price fixing" makes about as much sense as having a game intended to criticise fundamentalist Islam where the fundamentalist factions members are stoned to death for exposing their elbows. Unless the intent was to show how the numerous regulations and interventions promoted by monopolists to advance their own ends sometimes come back to bite them...
Stopped reading here...
It has taught the multitudes what they know about how an economy works.
The next sentence is "The problem is that the game seriously misrepresents how an actual market economy operates."
Made in China.
Hahah...