3 ms·

The problems americans have with antitrust (which is one of the greatest advancements they’ve added to the economic theory), is that any anti-trust ruling will

The problems americans have with antitrust (which is one of the greatest advancements they’ve added to the economic theory), is that any anti-trust ruling will both destroy the influence of this company inside and outside the USA. For example, the reason Microsoft wasn’t dismantled despite losing their antitrust trial, is in the wake of 9/11, USA wanted to avoid weakening their economy by dismantling their biggest pitential. Today, USA is certainly afraid of dividing Google because it is a major influence for domination of the world. Same for Facebook. And that is perfectly logical. USA needs to find a way to forbid the bad side-effects of trusts, while keeping their domination outside the US...

pytester 7y ago
Microsoft's donation of $4.3 million to both parties as well as think tanks like Cato and Americans for Tax Reform might also have had something to do with the weak ass settlement.
- darkerside 7y ago
  $4.3M? That doesn't buy power. That buys a consultation.
  - pytester 7y ago
    ...in 2019, yes. This all happened a long time ago when you got a LOT more bang for your lobby buck.
  - magashna 7y ago
    You can look up how much ISPs give to politicians to see how cheap it really is. 4.3M is a royal sum.
mcv 7y ago
> "USA needs to find a way to forbid the bad side-effects of trusts, while keeping their domination outside the US." One way to accomplish that might be stronger regulation. Companies can stay big, but both US and foreign companies have to follow the regulation. This needs a more practical example, of course. In the EU, banks are required to allow customers to use other apps to manage their banking. This requires banks to implement standards for access and interoperability. Imagine if Facebook would be required to let you access your Facebook contacts and their posts through a different app, that would give you more control over your stream (not to mention the ads!). Any maybe also to allow Facebook users to follow users on other social networks. This would instantly turn Facebook into a more Fediverse/Federation-style social network.

pytester 7y ago

Microsoft's donation of $4.3 million to both parties as well as think tanks like Cato and Americans for Tax Reform might also have had something to do with the weak ass settlement.

darkerside 7y ago
$4.3M? That doesn't buy power. That buys a consultation.
- pytester 7y ago
  ...in 2019, yes. This all happened a long time ago when you got a LOT more bang for your lobby buck.
- magashna 7y ago
  You can look up how much ISPs give to politicians to see how cheap it really is. 4.3M is a royal sum.

mcv 7y ago

> "USA needs to find a way to forbid the bad side-effects of trusts, while keeping their domination outside the US." One way to accomplish that might be stronger regulation. Companies can stay big, but both US and foreign companies have to follow the regulation. This needs a more practical example, of course. In the EU, banks are required to allow customers to use other apps to manage their banking. This requires banks to implement standards for access and interoperability. Imagine if Facebook would be required to let you access your Facebook contacts and their posts through a different app, that would give you more control over your stream (not to mention the ads!). Any maybe also to allow Facebook users to follow users on other social networks. This would instantly turn Facebook into a more Fediverse/Federation-style social network.