Antitrust and the New Economy

May 11, 2009, 9:30am - 11:30am

The new administration faces profound challenges in antitrust and competition policy. The Bush administration adhered to a minimalist approach based on the "Chicago School" theory that government regulation more often makes mistakes and the self-correction of private markets almost always leads to the best result. The collapse of the U.S. and global economies challenges this fundamental premise on many fronts, not the least of which is antitrust. But it also leads to calls to weaken antitrust standards to sustain distressed industries.

In light of these profound issues, what should the Obama administration's competition policy and antitrust enforcement agenda look like?

Newly confirmed Assistant Attorney General Christine Varney will offer her preliminary thoughts on the challenges ahead for and objectives of the new administration in antitrust, followed by a panel of distinguished experts.