Antimonopoly Policy in the USSR

• Published date: 01 March 1992
• Author: Vladimir E. Capelik
• Date: 01 March 1992
• DOI: 10.1177/0003603X9203700113
• Subject Matter: Article

The Antitrust Bulletin/Spring 1992

Antimonopoly policy in the USSR

BY VLADIMIR E. CAPELIK*

263

The problem of monopolization in the Soviet economy is very

complex. The whole management structure of the economy has a

monopolistic character. Ever since 1917, antimonopoly legislation

has not existed in the USSR. The beginning of demonopolization

would lead to the destruction of state monopolies and of the old

system of management, and mean the transition to the market

economy.

Iwill consider the problem of monopoly in several aspects.

First, the definition of monopoly. Second, the level of industrial

monopolization. Third, monopolistic actions. Fourth, the main

directions of antimonopoly policy in the short term.

Before Istart my report, Ihave to stress one problem of pres-

ent financial imbalance in the economy. While an administrative

command system of management has such inherent features as

chronic shortage, shortages have grown rapidly and resulted in the

full demolition of the market in recent years. Such a situation cre-

ates the equivalent of monopoly positions for each producer or

seller. Under the condition of excessive demand over commodity

supply, the market is divided into separate parts. Each part, then,

*Vice Chairman, Russian Council for Demonopolization andCom-

petition.

e1992 by FederalLegal Publications, Inc.