The free market is what made the United States a capitalist nation. Free markets allow people to own and run their own businesses, set the prices of retail items, and produce efficiently. The United States' economy is based on the dollar. The Federal Reserve currently sets certain interest rates, but some free-market advocates seek to end this practice and let the market set interest rates instead. Here are some helpful resources that contain more information about the free market and why it is so important:

About the Author

Written by Michael Marcin of Crest Capital. When Mike was little, there was no such thing as the internet (or color TV). Today, he oversees all operations and finance for Crest Capital, a national equipment finance lender. Mike writes on a variety of business topics including equipment, vehicle, and software finance and associated tax implications.