Modern Economic Regulation: An Introduction to Theory and Practice

by Christopher Decker

Overview

Drawing from the most recent work on economic regulation, this book introduces readers to the main principles and examines how economic regulation is applied in four key public utility industries - electricity, gas, water and telecommunications. Written for students and practitioners with little prior knowledge of economic regulation, this is an accessible, non-technical entry point to the subject area, exploring the fundamental questions: Why do we regulate? What are alternatives to regulation? Which institutions are involved in regulation? What have been the impacts of regulation? Readers will gain a clear understanding of the basic principles that apply to all regulated sectors, as well as the regulatory choices that reflect the specific economic and physical characteristics of different industries. Case studies demonstrate connections between regulatory theory and practice, and extensive references provide readers with resources for more in-depth study.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781139985208
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	10/30/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Christopher Decker is a Research Fellow specialising in Law and Economics at the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, Oxford University. Dr Decker's research interests include economic regulation, competition (antitrust) economics, industrial organization and law and economics. He has considerable practical experience of the application of economic regulation across a range of industries (energy, water, telecommunications, transport, financial services, environmental regulation and the regulation of the professions) and has acted as an advisor to competition authorities and regulators in a number of jurisdictions.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; Part I: 2. The recurring question: why regulate utilities?; 3. Alternatives to traditional regulation; Part II: 4. Principles of regulation for core network activities; 5. Forms of price regulation; 6. Regulation in the presence of competition; Part III: 7. The institutions of regulation; 8. Electricity regulation; 9. Gas regulation; 10. Telecommunications regulation; 11. Water and wastewater regulation; 12. Conclusions; Cases and legislation: Europe, UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

‘This is a fantastic textbook on modern economic regulation that beautifully integrates theory and practice like no other book on the market right now, plus it provides a great coverage of the structure and evolution of institutions in a number of key regulated industries.’ Christos Genakos, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge

‘Chris Decker's new book/edition is an invaluable up-to-date analysis and review of the regulation of network industries. It contains a sophisticated treatment of more general or theoretical issues concerning regulation, including the key issue of institutional form, now supplemented by a new chapter on behavioural economics and regulation. The coverage in individual chapters is now expanded beyond the trio of energy, telecoms and water, to include payment systems, aviation and rail, and digital platforms - a huge focus of current regulatory interest. All chapters draw illustrations from the experience of several different countries. Readers can determine how much detail they want to go into, from a more basic understanding to a more granular and up-to-date account of recent developments and directions of change. There is also a very extensive bibliography.’ Martin Cave, London School of Economics

‘Modern Economic Regulation was already the best and most comprehensive economics of regulation text on the market, and now, with the addition of chapters on the regulation of payment systems, digital platforms, railways and aviation, as well as the interaction of behavioural economics and regulation, it is even better! Assign it to your master’s and advanced undergraduate students, as I do to mine.’ Russell Pittman, Visiting Professor, Kyiv School of Economics and Director of Economic Research, Antitrust Division, US Department of Justice

From the Publisher