Cockerel, no need to be ironical.

It's all about information and incentives/disincentives. This is why already in the early 1990-ies I learned to appreciate the work of Joseph Stiglitz (I know I am cursing in the church again).

Really free markets give the same access to information and capital to all and as such provide the right incentives for optimal allocation of capital and labour.

Now the rot comes in either from the market itself (cartels) or from the government (self-interested interference).

Who can control the markets and assure them to be free and efficient? A democratically chosen Government.

Who can control the Government and assure them to be democratic? The voters.

Who can assure that people get the right information about the political parties? The media.

Who can assure that the media provide the right information to the public and does not act as a cartel? The people.

So ultimately people have to take things in their hand and crush media monopolies and undemocratic Government. As long as there is access to education, they can do so IMO.