Competition Policy, Bailouts and the Economic Crisis

Bruce Lyons
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Bruce Lyons: Centre for Competition Policy and School of Economics, University of East Anglia

No 2009-04, Working Paper series, University of East Anglia, Centre for Competition Policy (CCP) from Centre for Competition Policy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.

Abstract: The aims of this paper are twofold. First, I explain the economics of bank bailouts as distinct from bailouts for other sectors of the economy. Why do all the rules of good competition policy appear to fly out of the window when the banks get into trouble? Does this mean that we should abandon the rules equally for car manufacturers and other industries in trouble? I argue that a unique combination of two characteristics make it essential to bailout or nationalise the banks in the current crisis. No other sector of the economy can claim the same justification. Second, I review the threat of a retreat to politically-determined industrial policy and the need for vigilant implementation of economic effects-based competition policy.

Keywords: credit crunch; state aid; bailouts; banks; competition policy; nationalisation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L33 L40 L50 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009-03-01
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:uea:ueaccp:2009_04

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