Abstract Whilst the US.authorities have expressly concluded that anti-trust should rarely, if at all, interfere in the taking place of conglomerate mergers, the European Commission (EC) has, in contrast, become increasingly concerned with the 'conglomerate effects' of mergers, in a number of its relatively recent decisions. This paper discusses the potential anti-competitive effects that can result from such mergers, and then subsequently focuses on two key E.C. decisions - GE/Honeywell and Tetra Laval/Sidel for the main analysis, with relevant comparison between E.C. and U.S. perspectives.
Outline
Abstract
Anti-Competitive Effects Resulting From Conglomerate Mergers
The GE/Honeywell Saga
Tetra Laval/Sidel
Conclusion
From the Paper "The issue of 'efficiencies' represented a major point of divergence in the EC and US attitudes towards the potential effects of the merger and was a theme which ran through the core of many of the individual points and arguments made. Efficiency is considered to be the "ultimate goal" of US ant-trust policy , with the purpose of the Sherman Act and other competition laws being to "protect competition, not competitors" . The EC's decision in GE/Honeywell was thus heavily criticised for, as far as the US authorities perceived it, actually blocking the merger because it would give rise to efficiencies, such as lower capital costs and cheaper prices, which Honeywell's rivals would be unable to compete with."
Tags: General, Electric, Honeywell, Tetra, Pak, Laval, Sidel, market, dominant, leverage, monopoly
Abstract This paper explains the role of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in protecting consumers against anti-competitive or anti-trust behavior especially in fields, such as health care and health insurance. The paper presents a case study of the Wisconsin Chiropractic Association (WCA), which was penalized by the FTC for creating a conspiracy amongst WCA members to increase prices for chiropractic services and to boycott third-party payers for the purpose of obtaining higher reimbursement rates from health insurance companies. The paper considers the actions of the FTC to be justified.
Table of Contents:
The Role of the Federal Trade Commission
Conduct of the WCA: Anti-competitive behavior
Penalty: Fair or unfair?
From the Paper "The misconduct did not simply end there: the WCA also circulated fee surveys to facilitate coordinated pricing by its members, thus demonstrating when certain members were 'undercharging' customers, which meant they would be contacted and encouraged to charge more. It aggressively pursued all its members and encouraged them to charge more money, urging chiropractors not only to squeeze more money from client's pockets but also to negotiate higher fees with health insurance companies."
Abstract This essay discusses how Microsoft should either be broken up or be forced to alter its business or its products more fundamentally in order to reduce barriers to competition. This is because Microsoft has used its market power to destroy competition.
Abstract This paper begins with a look at the evolution of international competition policy, then focuses on the promotion of competition in worldwide markets and the role of inter-government cooperation in setting the policy environment for better and more productive, as well as fair, competition. It examines efforts being made to address the perceived risk that the conduct of some private businesses may reduce competition and potentially undermine government actions to promote competition (e.g., trade liberalization and deregulation). It includes a look at the adoption of both EU-level and national-level competition laws, which target anti-competitive business conduct resulting largely from US advocacy, and the importance attached to competition law in the context of EU membership. Finally, the potential role of the WTO is discussed.
Evolution of International Competition Policy
Promotion of Competition in World Markets
Role of Inter-Governmental Cooperation in Setting Policy
Private Business Practices That Reduce Competition National vs. EU-Level Competition Laws
Role of the WTO
From the Paper "Economic interdependence among countries across the globe has increased sharply in the past fifty years. This international economic interdependence has made vast contributions to greatly improved standards of living for most countries. Ongoing international economic integration bears the promise of further and larger benefits. However, the increasing sensitivity of national economies to events and policies that originate beyond their borders creates dilemmas and pitfalls that may prove to be disastrous if national policies and international cooperation are less than well managed."
Abstract This paper will discuss the case of Foam vs. Rex in the anti-competitive laws contract that was signed by Foam in order that he might not steal the business practice measures that were used by his employer Pyre Rex (who ran one of the most successful fire fighting consultant services in the country). Foam had sued Mr. Rex for a clause in his contract that said he could not start a business associated with his company in any way, but more so told him he could not start another fire consulting service. An argument will be made here to show that Foam was right in suing Mr. Rex because Mr. Rex cannot make a monopoly on the service itself, but may have a position on the practices that might be used by him for a defense of this contractual suit.
A discussion on the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, on the basis of which the United States Department of Justice, along with twenty state attorney generals, charged the Microsoft Corporation with conducting illegal anti-competitive business practices.
Abstract The following paper discusses the controversial charges brought about by the government on Microsoft. The writer examines thoughts and opinions of people and companies that think that Microsoft and CEO Bill Gates are acting in violation of the anti-trust laws of the United States, while others think that the charges against Microsoft are damaging the free market. This paper examines the truth to both sides of the argument.
From the Paper "The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 was passed by the United States Congress in order to declare illegal "every contract combination in the form of a trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce with several states, or foreign nations", meaning that any corporate action for the purpose of eliminating competition in an area of business and of controlling the market for a product, was declared illegal. (1) In May of 1998, the United States Department of Justice charged the Microsoft Corporation with conducting such illegal anti-competitive business practices. Microsoft, the largest and wealthiest software company in the world, was under fire because it was supplying, free of charge, it's version of an internet browser called Internet Explorer with the selling of the Windows operating system. The government stated "internet browsers are separate products competing in a separate product market from personal computer operating systems"?. (2) The government was calling for action to split the Microsoft Corporation into two separate companies: software and web browsing."
Abstract This paper discusses competition in the airline industry. It contends that while there have been some advantages for the airline passenger in the changes in the ways in which airline companies are structured, in general these changes have served to benefit the companies and their stockholders at the expense of ordinary consumers.
From the Paper "The most important developments in the American airline industry over the past generation have not come about through technological advances although certainly there have been some important technical break-through such as more efficient wing de-icers that ..."
Abstract This essay argues that Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" is anti-Semitic in terms of its treatment of the character Robert Cohn. Cohn is painted in a negative light and none of the characters like him. Cohn is the anti-hero, yet he has Jewishness intentionally imposed upon him. In this respect, "The Sun Also Rises" involves anti-Semitism.
Abstract The following assignment is for a third year sociology course. The topic discussed is collective social behaviour. The collective social behavior examined in this assignment is anti-war demonstrations. The writer uses social contagion theory and emergent norm theory in order to examine the nature of anti-war demonstrations.
From the Paper "Collective behavior is a very broad area of study. For example, in Collective Behavior Erich Goode states, 'Rumors and legends, fads, and collective protest- these and other social phenomena make up the subject matter of the field of collective Behavior'. Collective behavior is the relatively spontaneous, unstructured, extra institutional behavior of a fairly large number of individuals. The fact that collective behavior is such a diverse area of study means that many activities can be used to examine it. For this paper, demonstrations against the war in Iraq or anti-war demonstrations as they are commonly called will be used to examine many of the theories about collective behavior."
Abstract This paper summarizes the debate between the Federalists and Anti-federalists of the constitutional congress. It suggests some ongoing problems in American public life which demonstrate the main issues which drove that debate, far from being resolved during the constitution's ratification, continue to resonate in current events. This paper discusses the Ratification Debate and the major issues which drove the debate between the Federalists and the Anti-federalists: Distribution of power, protection of rights, limitations of institutions and the ongoing Relevance.
From the Paper "In the last few days of September in 1787, the Confederation Congress met to debate and construct a new Constitution of the United States. The document they wrote and sent for ratification to the thirteen states that made up the newly-formed country was intended to replace the Articles of Confederation that had ordered the nation since its inception. The nation was reaching a crisis point, as the experiment had been going poorly. Surprisingly, perhaps, the problem was not one of the many possible economic problems that new nations are likely to experience when reconstructing after a long and difficult war. As Gordon Wood (1969) argues, the general economy was running well and people felt comfortable and even prosperous (p. 395). Rather, the concerns that brought the nation's leading politicians together were primarily political. "
Abstract This paper discusses how in terms of ideologies, actions, and goals that exist, or should exist in order for the anti-globalization movement to develop into a successful global social movement, there is general agreement that there must be a greater emphasis on social and political issues such as gender equality, and economic issues such as product music and entertainment product copyright protection. The paper further discusses that these are only two of a multitude of important issues that need to be addressed, but they reflect the anti-globalization movement's fundamental goal of protecting the social, political, and economic rights of individuals, groups, and societies as globalization expands. For example, globalization has presented many challenges and opportunities for the transnational women's movement.
A discussion on the way that the punk subculture re-emerged in recent years in response to the rise of the far right in Switzerland and as part of the international anti-fascist and anti-globalization movements.
Abstract The paper focuses on the evolution of punk and its mutation into the more politically charged anarcho-punk movement and explores the violent side of the extreme left - both as an international force and in particular in Switzerland. The paper then discusses the Bern-based Antifa Switzerland group and explores the motivations of the Black Bloc anarchists. The paper highlights the use of violence in the anti-fascist movement and the connection between today's violent anarcho-punks with the ideals of the original punk movement. Several photographs are included with the paper.
Outline:
Introduction
Punk's First Wave
Punk Arrives in Switzerland
Switzerland, Anarcho-Punk, and Post-war Politics in the 21st Century
Conclusion
From the Paper "The media, however, interpreted the punks' image, music, and reckless behavior as a real threat to the status quo. This culminated in December of 1976 when the Sex Pistols and members of the Bromley Contingent appeared on the Bill Grundy television show in England. At the time of this momentous event, punk was still in its early stages. The public-at-large had little way of knowing about punk at the time. What they saw was a group of extravagantly dressed young people, visibly intoxicated, who took relish in using offensive words and insulting the host of the program in a manner that went way beyond the accepted morals of the time. The Bill Grundy episode would spiral the fledgling youth subculture into the wider cultural spotlight. At that point, punk was no longer a tiny subculture, but a mass media spectacle that would shock the conservative British public and inspire similar-minded youth all over the world."
This paper analyzes Michael E. Porter's view of the business world as outlined in "On Competition", a collection of his works that examines the Hobbesian nature of the international economy.
Abstract This paper analyzes Michael E. Porter's book "On Competition", a collection of his works that details the international economy. Porter's work has defined our fundamental understanding of competition and competitive strategy. His book is organized around three primary categories: Competition and Strategy: Core Concepts, The Competitiveness of Location, and Competitive Solutions to Societal Problems.The first section of the essay collection takes on competitive strategy, evaluating strategies and weaknesses for business, while the second addresses the role of location in competition experienced by government entities. Porter also analyses a number of sectors of the economy using his criterion of competition from what makes some global companies work to the relationship between business success and environmental regulation.
From the Paper "It isn"t only that there isn"t any free lunch. But while you?re shelling out hard-earned bucks for your repast someone else is pushing their way ahead of you, probably egged on by people you thought were your friends. At least that's Michael E. Porter's view of the business world as outlined in On Competition, a collection of his works that examines the Hobbesian nature of the international economy. The credentials that Porter brings to this project are impressive: a Harvard Business School professor, Porter is one of the most respected and innovative economists of his time. The author of 15 books, he advises both elected officials and business leaders in all parts of the world."
Argues that over-prescribing anti-depressants world-wide could prevent rape survivors from seeking and receiving treatment for depression and other mental health diseases.
Abstract This paper contends that the skyrocketing number of prescriptions for anti-depressants recently has caused some to worry that patients, such as rape victims, who could benefit from the addition of medication in their recovery, might not be able to get the much-needed medicine.
From the Paper "The recent FDA decision regarding SSRI's (Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors) has caused the medical community to scale down anti-depressant prescriptions in recent months. This project in intended to shed light on the growing problem of over-prescribing anti-depressants and the effects that ultimately could prevent rape survivors from receiving the much needed medications they need for recovery."
The paper is a review of the article "Thinking about Competitive Balance" by Allen R. Sanderson and John J. Siegfried from the Journal of Sports Economics. 2003.
Abstract The article "Thinking about Competitive Balance" by Allen R. Sanderson and John J. Siegfried compares different concepts of competitiveness, reviews research on competitive balance and the relationship between payrolls and performance, examines the rules and regulations that contribute to playing performances, and evaluates the possible effect of proposals such as payroll and salary caps, luxury taxes, and increased revenue sharing on competitive balance. The author of this paper examines and critiques the original article and presents his own conclusions.
From the Paper "The authors note that the league itself also creates some intentional imbalances to level the playing field and the fact that winning conditions create more winning conditions (i.e. the most talented players want to gravitate to the most popular, 'winning-est' teams), These include "reverse-order draft systems, various attempts to constrain players' salaries, revenue sharing" (Sanderson & Siegfried, 2003, p. 268). Some sports leagues have luxury taxes on top heavy teams as well (Sanderson & Siegfried, 2003, p. 268-269). "Lengthening a series reduces the probability that the weaker opponent will win; increasing the number of playoff rounds and the percentage of teams eligible for a championship reduces the chances that the best team will capture the championship" (Sanderson & Siegfried, 2003, p. 272). However, the authors do not include a counterbalance to such arguments--longer seasons also can result in viewer attrition of interest, the competition from other sports beginning while the season sprawls on, and the anger of fans if they feel that their team has been unfairly treated by new rules."
