People believe that the only way you would work at Walmart is if you just have no other alternatives. I think a lot of people who work at Walmart are proud and happy and cheerful. So what I'm saying is that self-interested propagandists spread a hatred for Walmart. There might be legitimate reason to hate them. But they'd like to find some way to hurt them. They actually make it hard for Walmart to come to their area.
Mike Munger of Duke University talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the psychology, sociology, and economics of buying and selling. Why are different transactions that seemingly make both parties better off frowned on and often made illegal? In theory, all voluntary transactions should make both parties better off. But Munger argues that some transactions are more voluntary than others. Munger lists the attributes of a truly voluntary transaction, what he calls a euvoluntary transaction and argues that when transactions are not euvoluntary, they may be outlawed or seen as immoral. Related issues that are discussed include price gouging after a natural disaster, blackmail, sales of human organs, and the employment of low-wage workers.