Conservative Antitrust Enforcement: Beyond the ‘Khanservative’ Epithet
The Biden administration’s antitrust initiatives have garnered unexpected support from conservatives, leading to the emergence of the term ‘Khanservative.’ However, this label fails to fully capture the complexity of conservative support for antitrust enforcement.
Conservatives have a long history of opposing concentrated power, exemplified by Theodore Roosevelt’s trust-busting efforts, Ronald Reagan’s breakup of AT&T, and Robert Bork’s support for antitrust action against Microsoft. The current conservative support for antitrust enforcement extends beyond the FTC’s Lina Khan, with many cases initiated by the Justice Department.
The Justice Department’s approach to antitrust enforcement emphasizes consumer welfare, as evident in its cases against Apple and Google. These cases allege that these tech giants have abused their market power, harming consumers. The department’s focus on consumer welfare aligns with conservative principles of promoting competition and limiting monopolies.
In contrast, the FTC’s approach has been characterized as propping up competitors rather than enhancing consumer welfare. This approach, which prefers a fragmented industry, runs counter to conservative support for aggressive competition and innovation. Furthermore, the FTC’s enforcement actions have often been more focused on publicity than strategic advancement of antitrust policy.
In conclusion, conservative support for antitrust enforcement is principled and rooted in a long-standing opposition to concentrated power. However, the ‘Khanservative’ label oversimplifies this support, which extends beyond the FTC’s approach and includes the Justice Department’s consumer welfare-focused enforcement efforts. This nuanced understanding is essential for a comprehensive analysis of the current antitrust landscape.
