The competition-democracy nexus resurrected?—Four precursors of a competition-democracy nexus 4.0

Abstract This article explores what the ongoing revival of the idea of a positive linkage between competitive markets and democracy means for contemporary competition law and policy. Drawing on previous theoretical work that shows that the idea of a symbiotic relationship between competition and democracy is grounded in a normative commitment to republican liberty as non-domination, this article identifies four trends in contemporary competition law that are suggestive of the emergence of a new rendition of the competition-democracy nexus. In so doing, the article examines how the policy goal of promoting democratic capitalism can translate into concrete competition law enforcement and policy.