Tirzah Duren will be a featured speaker in an upcoming panel discussion on antitrust policy hosted by the American Consumer Institute (ACI) and Inside Sources at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on September 18 at 1:00 PM.

 

### Editor’s Note

Tirzah Duren will be a featured speaker in an upcoming panel discussion on antitrust policy hosted by the American Consumer Institute (ACI) and Inside Sources at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on September 18 at 1:00 PM.

The event will feature a keynote address from Alden Abbott of the Mercatus Center, followed by a panel discussion including Tirzah Duren from ACI and Neil Chilson of the Abundance Institute, moderated by Inside Sources. This gathering promises to shed light on current antitrust trends and their implications for consumer rights and market regulation.

**To register for in-person attendance, click here.**

For details on live streaming, please reach out to us.

---

The conversation around antitrust policy has intensified, particularly under Lina Khan's leadership at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). While her approach, often labeled neo-Brandeisian, draws support from various political quarters, it also raises significant concerns about the implications for consumer welfare and market dynamics.

Proponents like Tim Wu argue that this movement seeks to restore antitrust’s original purpose—balancing the interests of consumers, competitors, and society. However, this broad focus risks creating a landscape where enforcement becomes overly subjective, potentially punishing growth or market success without clear evidence of consumer harm.

Historically, the shift to the consumer welfare standard (CWS) in the 1970s was aimed at preventing overzealous enforcement that stifles market activity. Examples such as the Von’s Grocery and Brown Shoe cases illustrate how aggressive antitrust measures can inhibit beneficial mergers that enhance competition and consumer choice.

As the FTC investigates serial acquisitions under the guise of preventing “creeping” concentration, it’s crucial to consider the potential benefits of scale that large businesses can provide. The return to stricter enforcement standards could hinder innovation and economic efficiency, ultimately disadvantaging consumers.

In the upcoming panel, Duren and her colleagues will discuss the balance necessary to ensure that antitrust enforcement promotes a competitive marketplace without sacrificing the benefits that come from market consolidation and economies of scale.

**Follow Tirzah Duren on X @ConsumerPal for updates.**