A lot of the monopolistic/oligopolostic cartel-like behavior in my industry seems to be the result of free markets. Of course certain instances of government intervention have also encouraged cartel-like behavior.

I think you have to take it on a case-by-case basis and you can't make a general claim. On balance, free markets have probably caused more cartel-like behavior in my industry but abandoning free markets would be strictly worse than the mix that we have now.