September 28, 2009 - The state of the economy remains a red-hot topic. Agreeing on reasons for the 2008 market collapse and effects of the subsequent bailout will keep economists and politicians busy for years.

Mark A. Martinez, California State University, Bakersfield political science professor and radio talk show host, tackles the topic in his new book "The Myth of the Free Market."

"By looking at history, it is possible to see that political processes and the state are not only instrumental in making capitalist markets work, but that there would be no capitalist markets or wealth creation without state intervention," Martinez said. "The book is a good introduction to comparative economic systems in a way that is very accessible to those who may be new to studying economies."

The book refutes standard mantras of free market economic theory by showing how capitalist economies developed and why the state matters in their functioning. The book, released in March by Kumarian Press, has received high praise and is consistently ranked in the top 100 in three different sales categories on Amazon.com

Ha-Joon Chang from the University of Cambridge noted,"Mark Martinez forces us to re-examine the myth of the 'natural' free market order. Using very intelligently a wide range of fascinating historical and contemporary examples, he takes us through many important economic, political, and philosophical reflections about the true nature of the market system and its important but limited role in the construction of a civilized society."

"The Myth of the Free Market" is available locally at Russo's Books in the Marketplace, Borders, Barnes and Noble, and through Amazon.com.