 Even if mutually beneficial exploitation really is a serious moral wrong, however, it might not be a kind of wrong that can justify state intervention (Wertheimer 1996: Ch. 9). In other words, the question of the moral force of exploitation cannot be settled entirely by reference to its moral weight. Suppose \(A\) is a price gouger who sells bottles of water to disaster victims for $12 each. Even if \(A\) acts wrongly or fails to act virtuously, it is arguable that \(A\) does not harm anyone or violate anyone’s rights, and only harm or rights violations justify state intervention. If the state cannot force \(A\) to sell the water to \(B\), it might be thought completely irrational for the state to prohibit \(A\) and \(B\) from entering into a consensual and mutually advantageous transaction.