100 Iowa L. Rev. 2085 (2015)

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Abstract

This Essay examines the relationship of competition agencies to the political process. We use the experience of the FTC to address three major issues. First, what does it mean to say that a competition agency is “independent”? Second, how much insulation from political control can a competition agency achieve in practice? Third, how is the pursuit of political independence properly reconciled with demands that a competition agency be accountable for its decisions—an important determinant of legitimacy—and with the need to engage with elected officials to be effective in performing functions such as advocacy?