In a pod exclusive, Sen. Amy Klobuchar joins us to reflect on Senate action against monopolies in the digital age. 

Full interview: Sen. Amy Klobuchar on a new trustbusting era in the Senate

Dorey Scheimer

Senior Editor, On Point

Meghna Chakrabarti

Host, On Point

Sen. Amy Klobuchar gives her opening statement during a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, June 11, 2020. (Carolyn Kaster, Pool/AP)

Sen. Amy Klobuchar is the chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust and Consumer Rights. She’s also on the Judiciary Committee. 

Last month, the Judiciary Committee passed the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, an effort to target big tech companies for potential antitrust violations.

The bill proposes giving federal agencies the authority to issue civil penalties for anti-competitive activities in the tech sector.

In a pod exclusive, Sen. Klobuchar joins us to reflect on Senate action against monopolies in the digital age. 

More than money: The cost of monopolies in America

https://www.wbur.org/radio/programs/onpoint/tag/monopolies-in-america

podcast

"More than money" is a week-long exploration of the hidden power of monopolies in the U.S., and the evolution of antitrust law over the past 200 years. The On Point series considers whether the country's view on monopolies — and its influence on democracy — is poised for a major change.

Politics

For antitrust reformers, the size and power of companies like Google and Facebook represent more than a threat to consumer welfare. It’s the final episode in our series “More than money."

More than money: Solutions for reining in monopoly power

The thumbs up Like logo is shown on a sign at Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

For antitrust reformers, the size and power of companies like Google and Facebook represent more than a threat to consumer welfare. It’s the final episode in our series “More than money." Matt Stoller, Jack Beatty and Carl Shapiro join Meghna Chakrabarti.

Uncategorized

From Robert Bork's "consumer harm" to Lina Khan's "democratic harm," we discuss the ideas that drive the government's approach to antitrust regulation. 

More than money: Defining American antitrust law, from Bork to Khan

Hilary McQuilkin

Producer, On Point

President Biden signs an executive order “promoting competition in the American economy.” (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

President Biden signs an executive order “promoting competition in the American economy.”  (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

From Robert Bork's "consumer harm" to Lina Khan's "democratic harm," we discuss the ideas that drive the government's approach to antitrust regulation. Daniel Crane, Barry Lynn and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.

Economy

The nineteenth century saw the rise of great monopolies. Americans pushed back. What changed? We discuss lessons learned from antitrust action in the Gilded Age.

More than money: Antitrust lessons of the Gilded Age

Stefano Kotsonis

Senior Producer, On Point

(Nawrocki/ClassicStock/Getty Images)

The nineteenth century saw the rise of great monopolies. Americans pushed back. What changed? 

We discuss lessons learned from antitrust action in the Gilded Age with Jack Beatty and Charles Postel. 

Microsoft wants to acquire Activision-Blizzard for almost $70 billion. Microsoft says it won't harm consumers. But is the mega-merger a new kind of monopoly?

More than money: Microsoft and the big tech question

Jonathan Chang

Producer/Director, On Point

Microsoft is buying Activision-Blizzard for $68.7 billion to gain access to blockbuster games including Call of Duty and Candy Crush. (Jae C. Hong, File/AP Photo)

Microsoft wants to acquire Activision-Blizzard for almost $70 billion. Microsoft says it won't harm consumers. But is the mega-merger a new kind of monopoly? Dina Bass, Bill Kovacic and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.

Technology

A discussion of monopolies and meat processing kicks off our special series More than Money: The Cost of Monopolies in America.

More than money: The monopoly on meat

Paige Sutherland

Jeanie Alderson, a 4th generation rancher from Birney, Montana. (Credit: Northern Plains Resource Council)

Our series "More than Money: The Cost of Monopolies in America" is a week-long exploration of the hidden power of monopolies in the U.S.

Today's episode looks at how corporate monopolies dominate the beef industry. 

"It's failed consumers on one end of the supply chain, and it's failed the American family farmer and rancher on the other." Bill Bullard, Claire Kelloway and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti. 