Pleading for a “Multiple Goal Approach” in European Competition Law

Abstract

This paper will show why European competition scholars should break up the dichotomy of the two predominant approaches in competition law—“Freedom to Compete Approach” and “More Economic Approach”—and turn towards a promising third way: the so-called “Multiple Goal Approach”. This conciliatory approach combines the positive aspects of the two predominant approaches and will finally lead to a more realistic, inclusive, and transparent competition law. In doing so, the “Multiple Goal Approach” may also initiate a new debate about the old question of the goals of competition law.