Why does a free market economy need government intervention?

Answer 1

Although free market economies are mostly based on the free choices of the buyers and consumers, one reason government intervention is needed is to prevent the creation of monopolies. If a monopoly is a natural monopoly or a monopoly that doesn't seem to make too much profit, it can be left alone, but if a monopoly has significant power and makes too much profit, government must restrict its market powers. Otherwise, the monopoly could control prices and output with no restrictions at all. Also, sometimes government must set price ceilings or price floors in order to try to fix the problems of shortages and surpluses. By setting these price levels, the government helps bring the price and quantity back to equilibrium position, where the quantity demanded = quantity supplied.