ECC3830

Competition and regulation

May not be offered in 1998

6 points
* Two 1-hour classes per week
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: ECC1000 and ECC1010 or equivalent.

Objectives On completion of this subject students should be able to analyse whether more or less regulation and more or less competition would be likely to improve the economic efficiency of particular industries; to assess the implications of the Australian Trade Practices Act and price surveillance; to evaluate the economic arguments for corporatisation and/or privatisation of public enterprises.

Synopsis Economic policy as it affects business, particularly in relation to its dealings with consumers, and with emphasis on Australian industry and regulation; analysis of policies with respect to prices, monopolies, oligopolies and mergers, exclusive dealing, consumer protection and licensing, corporatisation, privatisation and deregulation; criteria for efficient industry and efficient industry policy; methods for the practical analysis of the performance of industries.

Assessment Written (3000-word essay): 30%
* Examination (2 hours): 70%