[KSagal]

It seems to me that marketing, and funding are not always in line with superior products. While frequently pure market pressures do make more and better products and values, this is surely not always the case...

Look into the cases of Beta vs VHS tapes, as an example. Quality and even price points went with Beta, yet VHS was better supported, and eventually won out in consumer markets, and Beta barely survived in technical venues only, because it really was a better product.

There are other cases as well. There are many cases of superior carburetors and fuel management systems being squashed by car and oil companies, who did not have the desire to have those impacts to their markets.

Many markets, including foodstuffs and homeopathic health aids are frequently manipulated by big dollar interests, that are not looking out for increased values to consumers, but to controlling markets in order to circumvent the free market process, and assure profit margins.

So, while the theory of free markets winning better values for consumers is a good one, the practice is far less effective.

As as you have said, it is a flawed process, yet is better than all the alternatives.