... having no job is better than a low-paying job, in your analysis?
Perhaps yes.
A price is a signal. As with any restriction on free speech, outlawing certain prices (low wages) should show a clear and easily demonstrated social benefit.
In this case, private free enterprise is clearly harmed, but the benefit returned to society is an intangible, a void: society receives only the absence or reduction of sweatshop working conditions.
I think we are actually in violent agreement on most of these issues.
The major exception, I think, is that I am deeply skeptical of a society's ability to check the worst behaviors of private corporations. I believe that certain entire business models are better legislated against and rendered completely illegal, to prevent regulatory capture [0].
EDIT: This view seems to be controversial. May I suggest a little light reading? [1]
Perhaps yes.
A price is a signal. As with any restriction on free speech, outlawing certain prices (low wages) should show a clear and easily demonstrated social benefit.
In this case, private free enterprise is clearly harmed, but the benefit returned to society is an intangible, a void: society receives only the absence or reduction of sweatshop working conditions.
I think we are actually in violent agreement on most of these issues.
The major exception, I think, is that I am deeply skeptical of a society's ability to check the worst behaviors of private corporations. I believe that certain entire business models are better legislated against and rendered completely illegal, to prevent regulatory capture [0].
EDIT: This view seems to be controversial. May I suggest a little light reading? [1]
[0] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulatory_capture
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jungle