Together with WEED, we have written an introduction to monopoly criticism and competition law. The text is intended for anyone who wants to know what can be done to counter the growing power of large corporations. Politicians or we individuals often seem helpless in the face of the power of large corporations such as Amazon or Google. This does not have to be the case – there are laws and institutions designed to prevent the concentration of economic power. However, they have not been used effectively for a long time. Now the debate about monopoly power is flaring up again. A new international movement is forming to limit corporate power. The instruments of antitrust and competition policy are moving back into the public debate. This is an opportunity.
> Read now: Limiting Monopoly Power, Strengthening Democracy – An Introduction to Monopoly Criticism and competition law (pdf)
The power of large companies has grown massively in recent decades. In many sectors, individual corporations such as Google or Amazon dominate the market. This has devastating consequences: Monopolies assert their interests, undermine the democratic process with their power, create problematic dependencies and prevent the necessary socio-ecological change.
It is time to stand together against this monopolisation. In fact, a new international movement is emerging that wants to revive the political instruments against monopoly power. At the heart of this is competition law. This has had a varied history, from the US antitrust movement at the end of the 19th century to its weakening by the neoliberal Chicago School.
Competition policy has become a technocratic policy area with little public and civil society participation. Many large mergers have been waved through, and the fight against abuse of power is often sluggish. With the upswing in criticism of monopolies comes
However, a new wind has been blowing in the debate in recent years. There are initial signs of change and new starting points. This offers new opportunities and perspectives for civil society. It is worth rediscovering competition law as a fundamental tool for shaping our economy.
> Read now: Limiting Monopoly Power, Strengthening Democracy – An Introduction to Monopoly Criticism and competition law (pdf)
