Should Wealth and Income Inequality Be a Competition Law Concern?

Economic inequality is steadily increasing. ACELG and ACLE are jointly convening a conference discussing whether differences in how much people own and earn should be a concern for competition law.

Economic inequality is on the rise around the world. The gap between rich and poor has been widening steadily, with the covid-19 pandemic further reinforcing the trend. Differences in how much people own and earn have become so pronounced that they are causing serious economic, political and moral concern. As a result, academics, policy makers and politicians have been asking what generates these differences and how they could be curbed.

A major source of wealth and income inequality appears to be the immense economic power enjoyed by large multinational corporations. Against this backdrop, prominent scholars have argued that a more equal society could be ensured through enforcement of competition rules, not least in labour markets. Yet, the precise extent to which competition law can and should be concerned with distributive issues remains unclear.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Eleanor Fox (NYU, United States)
• Ioannis Lianos (Hellenic Competition Commission, Greece)
• Martijn Snoep (Authority for Consumers and Markets, Netherlands)

Additional information: https://acelg.uva.nl/content/events/lectures/2021/05/should-wealth-and-income-inequality-be-a-competition-law-concern-copy.html