This book is a key example of the emergence of public choice theory by an economist who was to become one of its major exponents. It combines a detailed, critical study of the Monopolies Commission, with an analysis of the economic issues involved in monopoly supervision and control.

Part I The Historical Approach; Chapter 1 The Historical Background 1914-48; Chapter 2 The Common Law Background; Part II The Monopolies Commission; Chapter 3 The Structure and Constitution of the Monopolies Commission; Chapter 4 The Scope and Authority of the Monopolies Commission; Chapter 5 The Investigating Procedure of the Monopolies Commission; Part 3 Trade Association Inquiries; Chapter 6 The Monopolies Commission and Price Agreements; Chapter 7 Trade Associations and the Competitive Process; Chapter 8 Trade Association Agreements and Barriers to Inter-Member Competition; Chapter 9 Trade Association Agreements and Barriers to Independent Competition; Chapter 10 The Trade Association and Public Policy; Part IV The Dominant Firm; Chapter 11 The Dominant Firm and Oligopoly; Chapter 12 The Dominant Firm and the Competitive Process; Chapter 13 The Dominant Firm and Barriers to Independent Competition; Chapter 14 Dominant Firm Activities and the Public Interest; Chapter 15 The Dominant Firm and Public Policy; Part V Statistical Measures of Economic Performance; Chapter 16 Unit Production Costs and Prices; Chapter 17 The Calculation of Rate of Return on Capital as a Public Interest Indicator; Chapter 18 Rate of Return on Capital and the Public Interest; Part VI Government Action: Economic Consequences; Chapter 19 The Implementation of Monopolies Commission Recommendations; Chapter 20 Economic Consequences of Monopolies Commission Reports; Part VII Conclusions And Recommendations; Chapter 21 The Monopolies Commission and Future Developments;