Is Lack of Competition Strangling the U.S. Economy?

There’s no question that most American industries have become more concentrated. Economists are trying to understand whether this is necessarily a bad thing for competition.

The short answer: It’s complicated. Innovation superstars like Google have created winner-take-most markets largely by exploiting network effects, not through predatory behavior. However, research from the wider economy (including the tech sector) uncovers classic signs of unhealthy concentration: rising profits, weak investment, and low business dynamism.

The government’s approach to antitrust violations is due for an overhaul. And regulators need to pay more attention to protecting economic vitality and consumer well-being — and less to industry lobbyists.