The Robinson-Patman Act is an Anti-Bullying Law that Needs to be Enforced
Yes, Another Publication on the RPA, But Don't Worry, It's an Op-ed
Hi Everyone,
Today, the American Conservative, as part of
’s project, published my latest op-ed on the Robinson-Patman Act. This comes just over a week after I published two law review articles on the same law. The timing could not be more perfect. The op-ed can be read here.In the op-ed, I explain how the RPA operates similarly to prohibitions on school bullies such that market rules don’t allow firms to compete in the marketplace by any means necessary - there are established rules encouraging some behaviors and proscribing others.
The first paragraph of the article is below, and I hope you enjoy reading it.
Nobody likes bullies. Bullies take from others what is not theirs and frequently make unreasonable demands that give them preferential privileges by depriving someone of something valuable—the taking of another student’s lunch money is the quintessential example. In a safe school environment, bullies must face disciplinary action. Such restrictions allow students to attend school without fear, ultimately fostering beneficial social interactions instead of destructive ones. Students, therefore, are not allowed to engage in any kind of social interaction they desire. Instead, some kinds of social interactions are proscribed so that others may flourish. No one questions that such restrictions are prudent. Antitrust laws operate similarly as a democratic codification of anti-bullying in the marketplace.
The full article can be read on the American Conservative website here and on David’s American System project website here.
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