How have global antitrust laws evolved over time?

Global antitrust laws, which are designed to protect consumers and prevent the formation of monopolies, have evolved over time to keep up with changing technology and market trends. In the late 19th century, when the first antitrust laws were being established, the focus was on preventing large businesses from forming monopolies and establishing their power in the market. The Sherman Antitrust Act, passed in 1890, was the first major law to be enacted and outlawed contracts and conspiracy to limit competition and reduce output. In the 20th century, the focus of antitrust laws shifted to include horizontal agreements between competitors, as well as mergers and acquisitions. In the United States, the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 and the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act of 1976 both sought to prevent companies from merging in order to gain a competitive advantage. In the 21st century, globalization has created an even more complex landscape for antitrust laws. Mergers between companies with market share in multiple countries have led to increased regulation by international organizations like the European Union, and the 2010 introduction of the US Department of Justice’s “International Antitrust Enforcement Assistance Act” has allowed US antitrust laws to have global reach. Today, antitrust laws aim to not only protect consumers from monopolies and unfair competition, but also to promote fair competition and foster innovation. As the landscape of competition changes, antitrust laws will continue to evolve to meet the challenges of the modern marketplace.

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How have global antitrust laws evolved over time?

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