Economic inequality is on the rise in most developed countries, and commentators and researchers often point to the usual suspects: globalization, technological advances and regressive taxation. Some have, however, suggested that competition laws form part of the story of inequality. More specifically, that the lack of effective competition law enforcement may provide an explanation to negative wealth distribution trends.
Until now the debate has mostly been limited to abstract legal and policy arguments. Furthermore, it has been anchored in mainstream economics and based on limited empirical evidence which explores the actual effects competition policy may have on economic inequality.
This research project seeks to address this gap by utilizing empirical methods to shed light on the link between competition policy and wealth distribution. Its results can help us shape more nuanced competition policies and provide a better understanding of their economic and societal impact on different members of a society.
The project was funded by a Research Project Grant from the Leverhulme Trust. Launched in February 2020, the study explored how competition law influences wealth distribution and its potential role in addressing economic inequality.
The project aims to develop a deeper, empirically grounded understanding of the relationship between competition law enforcement and economic outcomes, and to clarify the role of competition policy in complementing other social policies aimed at reducing inequality.
Papers (published & forthcoming) include:
- ‘Dark Patterns and Online Consumer Vulnerability’ (2025) Behavioural Public Policy
- ‘Competition Policy and the Labour Share’ (2024) Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization
- ‘The Effects of Competition Law on Inequality –An Incidental By-Product or a Path for Societal Change?’ (2023) 11/1 Journal of Antitrust Enforcement 51
- ‘Competition law enforcement and household inequality in the United Kingdom’ (2022) 18/4 Journal of Competition law and Economic 925