Stratechery, here.
Monday, May 05, 2025
Naming the current US Antitrust Moment/Movement? New Jerichans? 😉
At the start of what is now known as the Biden antitrust era, its leading voices called themselves New Brandeisians. I analysed their manifesto, enforcement practice followed. Their legacy is now beginning to be assessed.
Today, under Trump II, a different approach is taking shape. It is certainly conservative, but not libertarian. Methodologically cautious, rhetorically nationalist and populist, ambitious—but we don’t yet know how much it'll be transactional (aka KMA antitrust).
Is it time to give it a name? The Ultimate/True/Neo/Etc. Conservatives?
Update: Perhaps we need a more religious name. As ""Peter Thiel is now running Bible study groups in Silicon Valley. He said in a few interviews recently that he believes that the Antichrist is Greta Thunberg," it's perhaps significant that the FTC Chair recently argued out of the blue that "The FTC should not take orders from Greta Thunberg."
UPDATE They have set on a name: America First Antitrust
ACCC Digital platform services inquiry 2020-25 final report
Any news? It [was] due to be provided to the Australian Government by 31 March 2025. Soon, post-elections?
Again: The EC was there first
Back in the day, this would’ve been a badge of honour. Not now, mind you — we daren’t draw too much attention. Still, with the DOJ (here) and FTC (here) presently banging on about a strong antitrust agenda, those worries could soon be yesterday’s news.
BTW, if the goal is adaptation (gatekeeper compliance is one aspect of it), broadcasting the results of enforcement to the market is essential.
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