A Vision for Tech Policy is Missing from GOP Economic Plans

In the current landscape of Republican presidential candidate priorities, there is a noticeable lack of emphasis on technology policy—a crucial area that demands attention. A substantial portion of registered voters, spanning all races and including those under 30, cite the economy as their primary concern. This concern intensifies in key swing states, with 39 percent [...]

Economics Lost: The Unraveling of Antitrust at the DOJ and FTC

In the intricate realm where law meets economics, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) proposed revisions to their merger guidelines serve as a stark reminder of the perils that accompany regulatory misdirection. Announced in July 2023, the draft guidelines swiftly garnered criticism from all corners of the political spectrum, with legal [...]

Maximizing Value and Minimizing Myths in Broadband Expansion

In his latest op-ed, Public Utility Research Center Director and Gunter Professor Mark Jamison examines the Federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, a cornerstone piece of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). He argues that policymakers must act comprehensively to eliminate inefficiencies and ensure the program lives up to its full potential. [...]

The Case Against Breaking Up Amazon: Embracing Innovation and Consumer Choice

Is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) really out to break up Amazon? If so, it may be one of the greatest ideology-over-reason triumphs in American history. At stake are Amazon Prime, retail shopping driven by artificial intelligence (AI), and other past and future Amazon innovations that Americans love and depend on. Also at stake is [...]

Why Have Merger Guidelines? A Closer Look at the Department of Justice and FTC Proposed Changes, Part I

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) made headlines in July with their proposed merger guidelines. The guidelines are significant departures from previous practices, reflecting the ideological and power structure changes the Biden administration has brought to the agencies. If implemented, the proposed guidelines will increase political risk for businesses and lower [...]