Antitrust and Regulation
Course within the Masterprogramme in Economics.
Free markets and trade are often argued to boost consumer welfare, mainly because competitive market forces are thought to drive down prices, reduce costs, provide for variety and stimulate innovation. However, several important markets do not match the textbook description of competitive markets and may be fraught with competition problems if left unchecked.
Antitrust or competition policy, and regulation, represent two different approaches to addressing competition problems. In simple terms, anti-trust/competition policy can be described as policies specifying what firms cannot do while regulation specifies what a firm, or several firms in an industry, must do. The first approach aims to ensure that competition works well by means of general rules prohibiting anticompetitive practices and acquisitions that can significantly reduce competition. The second approach, regulation, deals with sector specific problems that are not adequately addressed by competition law. This may be the case in some network industries, such as the telecommunication, railroad or electricity industries, or service industries like health care and taxi cabs.
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Course structure
In this course we first study theories of imperfectly competitive markets and then examine antitrust and regulation problems in the light of this economic reasoning.
This is a 7.5 credit course.
Course material will be available through the learning platform Athena during the course.
Teaching format
Instruction is given in the form of lectures that also contemplate time for doing prepared calculation exercises.The language of instruction is English.
Assessment
The course is examined on the basis of a written examination.
Examiner
Examiner and Course director: Astri Muren.
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Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.Articles will be posted on Athena.
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Contact
Course administrator and International coordinator
- Visiting address
Södra huset A, A604
Academic advisor and teacher
- Visiting address
Södra huset A, room A614
- Questions about:
Eligibility, admission and credit transfers.
- Phone hours
Mon-Thu 12.00-12.30
Director of studies bachelor's and master's level
- Visiting address
Södra huset A, room A791
