著者

三瓶 弘喜

出版者

熊本大学

雑誌

文学部論叢 (ISSN:03887073)

巻号頁・発行日

no.97, pp.53-84, 2008-03

---

In the nineteenth century, the American economic system was not characterized by a laissez-faire market economy. The local and municipal governments regulated the aggressive free market economy by numerous ordinances that attached great importance to a "public economy." They established market laws to monitor public markets that provided essential food and goods for daily life. The purpose of the regulation was to prevent food shortages and steep rise in food prices, and to provide inexpensive and sufficient food to the inhabitants. The early nineteenth-century "market" was not "the place for a free economy," but "the place for a public economy" controlled by communities. The public markets performed the functions of social welfare and social networking. Market laws granted free licenses of street vending to handicapped people, widows, the poor, and African American women. These groups could make a living by peddling without a license fee. Market places were the hubs for culture and entertainment. The public markets in New York, in particular, were famous for dance competitions that were performed by African American slaves. Based on the social network created by public markets, these events served to form bonds betweeb them and strengthen their solidarity.