> disappearing the bottom of the market with minimum quality standards.  Thus, the minimum available product on the market feels more and more expensive.

Yes, this is something that is rarely discussed. A while back in came up when people started talking about this truck Toyota makes that they can't sell in the US due to regulations. Is very affordable and MANY in the US would buy it. Its very minimal in features though.

Housing as you point out is another big one. Minimum wage is yet another. Its all price fixing or putting a finger on the scales. 

kepford

econ

Economist Reveals: "Inflation is Actually Bad!" (Econ Forces, Josh Hendrickson)

denlillaapan

A related issue that's under-discussed is whether regulators are disappearing the bottom of the market with minimum quality standards.  Thus, the minimum available product on the market feels more and more expensive.

This is clearly happening with housing, as zoning and building codes are a form of "minimum standard" in terms of floor space, parking, etc, that make it hard for developers to build tiny apartments that serve the lower end of the market.
