What do antitrust laws primarily aim to achieve?

Antitrust laws are primarily designed to prevent market monopolies and encourage competition. These laws aim to ensure that no single company or group of companies can dominate the market to the extent that they can dictate prices or control supply, which can lead to higher prices, reduced quality of goods and services, and fewer choices for consumers.

By fostering a competitive marketplace, antitrust laws help maintain a balance where multiple companies can thrive, innovation can flourish, and consumers benefit from better prices and more options. This is crucial for economic health, as competition drives efficiency and encourages businesses to improve their offerings.

In contrast, while protection against unfair pricing, normalization of trade, and promotion of research and development funding are important concepts within economics, they are not the primary focus of antitrust laws. The core mission remains to prevent monopolistic practices, ensuring that competition remains a fundamental aspect of the market structure.