Here’s a fascinating piece discussing how fixed prices on books in Germany was actually pushing prices down (contrary to economic theory), while supporting a wide range of booksellers.
When I was last in Germany, apart from my usual beef about German booksellers not taking credit cards, I found no reason to complain about the range of books that was available. Children’s books are more expensive than I’m used to here, but a lot of that is also because most children’s books are only available in hardback and thus inherently more expensive. Paperbacks seemed reasonably priced in general, and of good typographical quality.
Peter Brantley has some questions at the end of his piece, which I think can be applied not only to books, but also television, news, indeed many aspects of what is commonly called “culture”. When the mass media and mass entertainment industry are desperately trying to increase ratings by catering to the fads and whims of the mass market, is this a “race to the bottom” as has been postulated? Is the long tail sufficient to enable people with diverse interests (and that’s all of us at some stage or another) to have those needs met, those itches scratched? How do people find those groups, if they don’t know what to look for?
Choice is important, knowing that you have choices is even more important. It’s a bit like free speech.