Competition and Antitrust Law

A Very Short Introduction

By: Ariel Ezrachi

Narrated by: Mike Lenz

Competition is responsible for much of the prosperity around us. Competitive markets deliver lower prices, better quality, abundance of choice, and increased innovation. But while competition benefits the consumers, it can prove challenging to producers and sellers, who need to constantly improve to stay in business. As a result, sellers may sometimes look for ways to dampen the competitive process.

Our antitrust and competition laws are designed to address these risks and safeguard consumer welfare. The competition enforcers have the task of unravelling price-fixing cartels, challenging powerful companies that abuse their power, and monitoring proposed merger transactions that could undermine effective competition. In doing so, competition enforcers have to carefully consider the level of intervention and ensure they do not distort the natural dynamics of competition.

Drawing on case studies from the US and the European Union, this Very Short Introduction explores the promise and limitations of competitive market dynamics. In examining the laws and the way they are enforced, Ariel Ezrachi considers the delicate relationship between a free market economy and government intervention, and the fascinating forces of competition that shape modern society.

©2021 Ariel Ezrachi (P)2022 Tantor

Extremely Satisfied

I am a student who was curious about the subject of antitrust after watching an interview with FTC Chair Lina Khan. After searching "antitrust" in the Audible search box, this book came up, and I knew it was exactly what I was looking for. The author does a great job of synthesizing these complex topics into brief chapters, as well as using real world examples to illustrate these points.

Overall I am very satisfied with this book and would recommend to anyone remotely interested in antitrust law; although legal topics can be difficult at times, the brevity of this book made it easy for me to take a break if I found myself losing concentration.