A More Political Approach to Competition Law

The question of the goals of competition law has been a constant matter of debate. The profound and diverse challenges societies are increasingly facing – from climate change to rising social inequalities and the erosion of democratic values – have reignited the debate on the role that competition law can and should play in addressing them. Shaping competition policy and enforcing competition law to pursue broader societal interests such as preserving the functioning of democratic institutions and to complement political agendas like the European Green Deal entail a more political approach to competition law. Central to the Institute’s research is whether competition law should commit to objectives beyond the protection of market competition and the promotion of consumer welfare and how its analytical tools should be adapted to attain these other aims.