Trustbusting

Trustbusting refers to government actions aimed at breaking up large companies or monopolies that dominate markets and stifle competition. When a company gains too much power, it can prevent other businesses from thriving, leading to higher prices and limited choices for consumers. Trustbusting seeks to promote fair competition and ensure no single company unfairly controls an industry, ultimately fostering innovation and protecting consumer interests. Historically, in the United States, it is associated with early 20th-century efforts by the government, especially under President Theodore Roosevelt, to regulate and disassemble monopolies like Standard Oil and U.S. Steel.