* Impact on Competition:
* Prohibited monopolies, conspiracies, and other anti-competitive practices, fostering fair competition in the marketplace.
* Targeted large corporations and trusts that gained excessive control in specific industries, leading to more balanced market dynamics.
* Impact on Consumers:
* Protected consumers by preventing price fixing, predatory pricing, and other practices that harm consumer interests.
* Encouraged innovation by promoting a competitive environment where businesses had incentives to improve products and services.
2. Clayton Antitrust Act (1914)
* Impact on Competition:
* Strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act by addressing specific business practices that could lessen competition, including price discrimination, exclusive dealing, and tying arrangements.
* Prohibited mergers and acquisitions that substantially reduced competition, preserving market diversity.
* Impact on Consumers:
* Safeguarded consumers by preventing companies from gaining unfair advantages through exclusive contracts or discriminatory practices.
* Promoted a level playing field for small businesses to compete effectively against larger rivals.
Overall, these antitrust measures aimed to foster healthy competition, protect consumers from unfair practices, and maintain a balance of power in the marketplace. They continue to play a vital role in shaping modern competition policies and ensuring economic fairness.