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Begin New Search Topic Economics Author Harold Furchtgott-Roth

1. Consumer Sovereignty and the Role of Government Intervention

Author:
Harold Furchtgott-Roth and Kirk R. Arner
Publication Date:
06-2020
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Hudson Institute
Abstract:
American businesses and consumers have an unequal relationship. Consumers generally are and should be sovereign because a consumer—not a seller, nor a third party, nor even the government—usually decides what to purchase. Consumers must like a business to buy its product or service. If a business has poor service, sales will suffer. And if a business is tainted by scandal, customers will flee. As courtiers of purchasing power, businesses go on bended knee to pay homage to the consumer. Typically, a business need not like a consumer to sell products or services. In most lines of business, a seller must sell to anyone willing to pay. And although there are types of businesses where a seller can legally refuse a sale, most rational sellers seek as many customers as possible.
Topic:
Economics, Government, Sovereignty, and Regulation
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2. Defining Relevant Markets for Mergers and Acquisitions Involving Communications Services

Author:
Harold Furchtgott-Roth and Jeffrey Li
Publication Date:
11-2013
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Hudson Institute
Abstract:
Over the past 20 years, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”), often in coordination with the Department of Justice (“DoJ”), has reviewed dozens of mergers and acquisitions involving companies offering various forms of communications services, and many offering various forms of wireless services. To approve license transfers and other regulatory authorizations associated with each of these mergers and acquisitions, the FCC issues an order in which it often discusses antitrust issues including a definition of a “relevant product market” to assess the likely competitive effect of the merger.
Topic:
Economics, Markets, Science and Technology, and Communications

3. Open Spectrum: A Major Step for U.S. Innovation and Economic Growth

Author:
Harold Furchtgott-Roth
Publication Date:
06-2013
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Hudson Institute
Abstract:
This paper proposes that the Federal Communications Commission adopt rules to allow practically all of the electromagnetic spectrum to be allocated flexibly in response to market conditions and to allow licensees to use their spectrum flexibly. This approach is consistent with the direction of FCC decisions to allow greater spectrum flexibility and would be economically far superior to recent FCC proposals for broadcast spectrum auctions. Spectrum flexibility—or “Open Spectrum”—would eliminate the much-lamented wireless broadband “shortage” without delay and would foster greater innovation in American spectrum markets and transactions and in wireless services and products. The econo mic value of Open Spectrum is probably orders of magnitude greater than the projected $15 billion in receipts from the FCC's broadcast spectrum auctions.
Topic:
Economics, Science and Technology, and Communications
Political Geography:
United States, Japan, and America