Contesting markets: editorial introduction

The idea of ‘the market’ has long held an important place in orthodox accounts of the capitalist economy. This is understandable given the important role markets play in the distribution of goods and services. However, the narrow emphasis on market exchange makes invisible other institutions and processes – social and ecological – that underpin such economies. Making capitalism synonymous with ‘the market’ diverts attention away from the structures of institutional power which shape and constrain freedom of choice in practice.