This lesson introduces the concept of monopoly. It calls upon
students to consider how monopoly power might affect the quality
and price of goods and services offered to consumers. In light
of what they learn about the history of trusts and the Sherman
AntiTrust Act, the students write editorials, stating and
explaining their views about laws prohibiting monopolies.
Finally, students consider the effect that the Internet has had
on the potential of companies to become entrenched as monopolies
in our national and global economies. - Define monopoly. -
Explain the market power that monopolies can exert. - Evaluate
American laws prohibiting monopolies. This lesson is intended to
help students will develop an understanding of economic
monopolies. It introduces the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, which
forbade the establishment and practices of economic monopolies
in the United States. Working as newspaper editorialists,
students explain whether or not they believe that monopolies
should be prohibited in free market econo