Competition and the Social Market Economy: The Italian Experience

Authors

  • Clara Beatrice Calini Author

Keywords:

competition, industrial policy, social market economy, enforcement priorities, sustainability, resilience, regulation, new tools, consumer preferences, consumer welfare

Abstract

The article discusses the evolving role of competition law within the framework of Europe’s social market economy, with a focus on the Italian experience. It explores how antitrust enforcement can align with broader societal goals such as sustainability, social justice, and economic resilience while maintaining its core mission of protecting competition and consumer welfare. Through examples from Italy’s competition authority Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), the paper highlights how competition policy can complement regulation to promote a more inclusive and sustainable economic system.

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Published

2026-06-25