But - that implies that there would be a free market IF the Government were to get out of the way & stop 'meddling'.
The idea of a 'free market' is built on a set of assumptions about how capital is free to flow among competing good ideas.
Capital flow - even in absence of Government meddling - is managed by those that hold the most capital - and they have a vested interest in making sure that favorites are played in a market. Favoring their own interests of course.
Neither Pure Socialism NOR pure Capitalism exist. Both implode left on their own and need each other.