3 credits
Fall 2026 Lecture Upper Division
This course studies the influence of laws and regulations on market performance and on the functioning of a free-enterprise system. The focus is on two types of government policies: antitrust law and economic regulation. Antitrust laws define the rules by which firms are supposed to compete. Regulations may require that firms obtain approval to set prices, change prices, or enter new markets. They may require firms to adhere to environmental or safety standards. The focus is on current topics in both areas, including comparison of U.S. practice with that of European Union and elsewhere.
Learning Outcomes1Apply economic principles to assess antitrust policies and government regulation of firms, including comparing practices and impacts in the U.S., European Union, and other global contexts.
2Employ economic analysis to evaluate how government regulations influence firms' strategic decisions regarding pricing, market entry, competitive behavior, and market structure.
3Identify insights economic analysis provides concerning the creation and implementation of optimal regulation of business.
Prerequisites
Restrictions
made by Purdue students.