Constructing a Competitive Order: The Hidden History of British Antitrust Policies

by Helen Mercer

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521412926
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	05/11/1995
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

Table of Contents

List of tables; List of appendices; Acknowledgements; Notes on conventions and abbreviations; 1. Introduction; 2 The British cartel system, 1880–1964; 3. The state and the 'monopoly problem', 1880–1939; 4. The war and the White Paper; 5. The origins of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Act 1948; 6. Interpretation of policy - the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission, 1949–56; 7. The origins of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1956 - a reinterpretation; 8. Resale price maintenance; 9. Conclusions; Appendices; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"It is a tribute to Mercer's excellent book that her fine research and careful reasoning furthers our understanding of this complexity, despite her trust in the critical tradition." Business History Review

"Of particular interest and importance is Mercer's emphasis on the influence of business and labor leaders in the White Papers leading to the acts and in the evolution of government thinking and policy in encouraging competitive behavior in the business sector. ... Excellent footnotes (49 pages) and bibliography (20 pages); a fine volume for its history of an important policy issue in Britain and as a reference work. Upper-division undergraduate through faculty." Choice

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