Which is a good thing. 19th century England is not something to emulate.

Sure, I don't think it ever has, and that's fine. I'm of the opinion that truly free markets end in massive consolidation, monopolistic behaviors, and rent-seeking.

We've been seeing some of this already in recent decades. The current administration in the US was starting to really think about what to do about that, but I expect the next one will allow businesses to do whatever they please.

It never has, that's just what they tell you in school so you believe in meritocracy and the american dream