I don’t know how I feel about this. In the general case, I feel like price gouging during emergencies is unethical.
But, when there is a non-artificial supply and demand issue, I struggle with the derivative effects of these policies.
My concern is that rather than simply evaluating on the consumers ability to pay (and backwards-looking at prior statements instead of increased go-forward costs), these policies add only one additional criteria: ability to threaten legal issues. Thus, it’s only effect is to prioritize government agencies alongside wealthy clients. And that’s just governments using force to get better treatment. Which also feels unethical.
But maybe there’s a happier and healthier read of the situation.
But, when there is a non-artificial supply and demand issue, I struggle with the derivative effects of these policies.
My concern is that rather than simply evaluating on the consumers ability to pay (and backwards-looking at prior statements instead of increased go-forward costs), these policies add only one additional criteria: ability to threaten legal issues. Thus, it’s only effect is to prioritize government agencies alongside wealthy clients. And that’s just governments using force to get better treatment. Which also feels unethical.
But maybe there’s a happier and healthier read of the situation.