I noted some of the alternatives in my article. :)

As to whether or not we want a free market, I'm not even sure that a free market is possible. Entrenched interests will always try to use their power to manipulate the market, unless they truly want the market to be free. Any market where there is an exchange of value will also be subject to manipulation by public or private interests, some visible, some not so visible, at least, until the most powerful interests decide to stand down.

Whether or not the market is free really depends on the distribution or concentration of wealth and/or power. Until the people of the world decide to become more vigilant about how the market operates, I'm not sure it's possible to have a free market. And since money is a relatively recent invention set upon humanity, I think it will be some time before the people of the world adapt to money.