A puzzle for our resident economist.

How would you have tackled the Irish Potato Famine?

(Protip, the only 100% incorrect answer involves the term 'laissez-faire' and the name Trevellyan.)

Of 1846?

Yeah, laissez-faire. Corn Laws were fucking killer.

Of 1846?

Yeah, laissez-faire. Corn Laws were fucking killer.

'Fucking killer' do you mean that in a positive manner?

Of 1846?

Yeah, laissez-faire. Corn Laws were fucking killer.

'Fucking killer' do you mean that in a positive manner?

Naw m80

corn laws literally killed

Of 1846?

Yeah, laissez-faire. Corn Laws were fucking killer.

'Fucking killer' do you mean that in a positive manner?

Naw m80

corn laws literally killed

Indeed they did ._.

But how would laissez-faire help a starving population with massive crop failure?
If the demand for food from merchants goes through the roof, won't they simply raise their prices?

Indeed they did ._.

But how would laissez-faire help a starving population with massive crop failure?
If the demand for food from merchants goes through the roof, won't they simply raise their prices?

Only if the supply is seriously inferior.

If the supply of food from foreign merchants is too small to supply the effectual demand, then the price will be higher. Too high, then lower.

If the demand for food from merchants goes through the roof, won't they simply raise their prices?

Some might, and people will go to the ones selling it for cheaper.

In the case of an oligopoly, if people can't afford the prices then the merchants won't make any money anyway.

EDIT:  Oligopoly, not oligarchy.