Constructing a competitive order : the hidden history of British antitrust policies

Description

Business people have always had a strong inclination to avoid competition and regulate the market. In Constructing a Competitive Order, Helen Mercer presents a new interpretation of the evolution of British competition legislation from 1900 to 1964. She uses archival sources to give a detailed analysis of government-industry relations and shows how competition policies have been shaped by the strategies of powerful business interests. Throughout the book, she offers pointers to the likely outcome of business regulation in Britain in the future Introduction -- The British cartel system, 1880-1964 -- The state and the 'monopoly problem', 1880-1939 -- The war and the White Paper, 1940-44 -- The origins of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Act, 1948 -- Interpretation of policy: the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission, 1949-56 -- The origins of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1956: a re-interpretation -- Resale price maintenance -- Conclusions -- Appendixes