Competition and Regulation Times. March 2013.

Abstract

• Title: Bank on it Abstract: Lyndon Moore examines the merger movement in UK banking between 1885 and 1925 and considers some implications for modern-day regulation. Author: Lyndon Moore
• Title:The fun(ding) of farming's future Abstract:Toby Daglish demonstrates there’s more to farming than just riding round on a quad bike with a dog on the back. Author:Toby Daglish
• Title: Comradeship versus Camaraderie Abstract: Forced participation in collective organisations has been very common in New Zealand’s past. Even now in areas of primary production the Commodity Levies Act 1990 is used to enforce collective contributions from firms: broadly speaking, a majority vote in favour (by those who do vote) is sufficient for the levy to come into being. The performance of such a process deserves ongoing scrutiny, as does its rationale. Here Lauren Brazier investigates the merits of compulsory membership of student associations. Author: Lauren Brazier
• Title: How not to promote green energies: a tale from Absurdistan Abstract: Justus Haucap provides a tourist’s guide through the quagmire of Germany’s ‘green energy’ policies. Author: Justus Haucap
• Title: Much ado about telco regulation Abstract: Bronwyn Howell looks at the origins of yet another inquiry into the operations of New Zealand’s telecommunications regulatory regime. Author: Bronwyn Howell
• Title: Take your partners carefully Abstract:The Government has clearly signaled its intention to make greater use of the public-private partnership (PPP) model in the procurement of public infrastructure. Late last year, it announced New Zealand’s first PPP for a major transport project – the Transmission Gully highway northwards from Wellington. Matthew Ryan considers the proposed arrangements in light of international PPP theory and experience. Author: Matthew Ryan
• Title: Drowning publishing's 'baby' in judicial bathwaters? Abstract: On 11 April 2012, the US Attorney-General filed a lawsuit against Apple and five of the ‘big six’ book publishers, seeking to end their ‘anticompetitive’ agency-pricing model. William Steel explains why the US Justice Department’s actions may be misconceived. Author: Will Steel