The Day Antitrust Died?: Introduction

On March 2, 1974, a group of prominent antitrust scholars convened a conference at the Airlie House in Warrenton, Virginia to discuss the future of antitrust theory and policy. At the time, the prevailing position on antitrust policy favored deconcentration of industry and relatively aggressive antitrust enforcement. But "Chicago-school" economists and lawyers challenged that consensus position, arguing that the goal of antitrust policy should be efficiency and the promotion of consumer welfare. Ultimately, the challengers prevailed, and antitrust enforcement precipitously declined.This special feature of the Ipse Dixit podcast, hosted by Ramsi Woodcock and Brian L. Frye, investigates whether the Airlie House Conference was "the day that antitrust died." In order to answer that question, we will interview scholars who attended the conference, as well as scholars who have studied its aftermath and effects on antitrust theory and policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.