Principles for a Successful Competition Agency

• Published in: The University of Chicago law review Vol. 72; no. 1; pp. 165 - 187
• Main Author: Muris, Timothy J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago University of Chicago Law School 01-12-2005; University of Chicago, acting on behalf of the University of Chicago Law Review
• Subjects: Antitrust; Antitrust laws; Antitrust policy; Bipartisanship; Budgets; Competition; Competition policy; Consumer economics; Consumer protection regulation; Consumers; Economic competition; Economic regulation; Economics; Enforcement; Government agencies; Guidelines; Industrial regulation; Market competition; Measurement techniques; Professional relationships; Regulation; Regulatory agencies; Regulatory competition; Success; Success factors; Symposium: Antitrust; United States > US
• ISSN: 0041-9494; 1939-859X

A three-part definition for government agency success is proposed. First, a primary component for a successful agency is a clear understanding of and support for its core mission among its constituents - the agency staff, the private entities it regulates, the courts, and its peers in government. Second, this core mission must derive from a vision of the institution clearly shared among and respected by constituents not just today but over long periods. Finally, a successful public institution needs a coherent strategy for exercising its authority and spending its resources. Building upon the foregoing discussion of success, there are six guides that competition agencies should follow: 1. Develop a proper understanding of the role of a competition agency. 2. Integrate competition and consumer protection policy. 3. Engage in competition policy research and development. 4. Employ a broad range of policy tools and remedies. 5. Pay attention to institutional capabilities. 6. Make agency actions and agenda transparent.