I mean, Nike destroys product to keep prices high and maintain scarcity [1].

I think everyone is aware of how housing prices are kept artificially high by agressive zoning restrictions.

The problem isn’t capitalism per se, the issue is that this is crony capitalism, not real capitalism.

A true free market would actually benefit the masses with more inexpensive goods, better, low cost health care, affordable housing etc, the issue is that there’s arbitrary restrictions put on the free market either by market makers or by groups with disproportionate influence over regulations.

Also it’s worth mentioning social norms, it’s easy to find an education online in lieu of a paying for a full blown college education, but individuals still insist that a compsci degree is necessary.

Anyhow, my point is that humanity has never been closer to a post scarcity society and rather than embracing it, it’s actually being pushed back against by a number of different actors for a variety of selfish reasons.

[1] https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/9/17/17852294/fashion-bra...

Taxing property as apposed to just land misaligns the economics enough so that land becomes a financially useful hedge asset, like gold.

So the rich, and large funds, all create demand for land beyond its practical use.

This also keeps land prices artificially high.