Having lived in China, I really dislike how much DVDs and CDs cost in the States (and I understand they are even more expensive in Europe.) Sixteen to twenty bucks per disc. In China I can buy a disc from 75 cents to a buck fifty. And they will work 90% of the time. What aggravates me is that the guy selling the DVD for 75 cents is making a profit, even if it is miniscule. So why the extra 15 to 20 dollars added to the price in the States? The artists, producers, and retail stores should all get their share, I completely agree, but the profit margin just feels to high. Seems like an arbitrary price hike to me. They can charge that much so they do.

As DVDs and CDs are already dirt cheap in China, people are griping about another arbitrary price: the “floating” price of train tickets and the “airport construction fee.” The trains charge 15 to 20 percent more per ticket during the busy Spring Festival season, quoting rising demand as the reason. But they don't drop their prices when demand is low. An arbitrary price hike by a state-run monopoly. Since 1992 the state-run aviation industry charges six-dollar tax on every plane ticket, citing construction prices. But lawmakers are asking “I wonder what kind of airport needs to charge the passengers for more than a decade yet its construction remains 'uncompleted,' and why teenage passengers aged between 12 and 18 should also take the obligation for 'airport construction.'” Another arbitrary price hike. The lawmaker, Zhao Zhiquan added, “These charges were not examined or approved by the NPC Standing Committee, neither had they undergone any public hearings. They might be reasonable under a planned economy, but definitely no longer fits in China today." So Chinese lawmakers are fighting these unfair prices imposed by monopolies. All I have to say is, good job and keep it up. But when I read the title of the article, “Anti-monopoly legislation urged by lawmakers,” (see bottom of article for link) I expected to find an attack on capitalist investors taking over formerly Chinese run assets. But instead, the law was focused completely on the indulgences of state run enterprises. It seems that the state run media is more focused, or at least just as focused, on rooting out problems within the state's framework as within private and foreign companies. China has realized that corruption and unfair government practices cause a problem for the normal Chinese man. Though some debates over policy, particularly the debate over private property has China leaning towards socialism, but this policy has China leaning away from “a planned economy” further towards accountable, free trade. From my perspective, it seems that China will continue to move towards a market economy while protecting socialist interests in specific sensitive areas. Down with arbitrary price hikes! Long live accountable economics!

The link: http://en.ce.cn/National/Law/200603/04/t20060304_6267380.shtml