Consumer welfare should be the primary concern from "summary" of The Antitrust Paradox by Robert Bork
The fundamental principle that should guide antitrust policy is the promotion of consumer welfare. This means that the primary concern of antitrust laws should be to protect the interests of consumers, rather than competitors or other market participants. When antitrust policy is focused on consumer welfare, it leads to greater efficiency, innovation, and overall economic growth. Consumer welfare is best served when markets are competitive and when businesses are free to compete on the merits. Competition drives businesses to offer better products at lower prices, benefiting consumers. When businesses are able to compete freely, it encourages innovation and efficiency, leading to better products and services for consumers. Antitrust laws should be used to prevent conduct that harms competition and ultimately harms consumers. This includes practices such as price-fixing, bid-rigging, and other forms of collusion that reduce competition and harm consumers. Antitrust enforcement should also focus on preventing mergers and acquisitions that would reduce competition in a market and harm consumers. It is important for antitrust policy to be based on sound economic analysis and evidence. This means that antitrust authorities should carefully consider the likely effects of their actions on consumer welfare, rather than simply focusing on protecting competitors or achieving other social or political goals. By focusing on consumer welfare, antitrust policy can better serve the interests of consumers and promote a more competitive and dynamic economy.- The concept that consumer welfare should be the primary concern of antitrust policy is a fundamental principle that should guide the enforcement of antitrust laws. By focusing on consumer welfare, antitrust policy can promote competition, innovation, and economic growth, ultimately benefiting consumers and society as a whole.
