Contracts and Antitrust Law: a Critique of the Neoclassical View

Abstract

Il apparait quen France aujourdhui, le modele neoclassique de la concurrence inspire l essentiel de la reglementation de la concurrence. Or la theorie economique moderne, telle quelle est inspiree par Coase et Hayek notamment, tend a renverser les certitudes du modele neoclassique et a admettre que la discrimination commerciale peut avoir un effet benefique sur lefficacite economique. La distribution selective prend tout son sens dans un contexte dincertitude et d information imparfaite. Cest la confrontation de ces deux philosophies celle qui inspire le legislateur francais, le legislateur allemand ou la doctrine communautaire europeenne, et celle plus optimiste a legard des pratiques discriminatoires qui est operee dans cet article. Ainsi, la pratique des prix imposes, la franchise, la concession et la protection territoriale sont analysees dans le cadre de cette confrontation. De meme, une critique de la doctrine communautaire est exposee. Levolution du droit des contrats et du droit de la concurrence fait aussi lobjet dune analyse mettant face a face les deux doctrines. Cest bien la vision du marche en tant que processus qui est au centre de cette analyse.The neoclassical model of competition seems to sustain today in France the main regulations about competition. However, modern economic theory, as initiated by Coase and Hayek notably, calls into question the certainties brought about by the neoclassical model and acknowledges the beneficial effects of commercial efficiency. Contractual discrimination takes its meaning in an open-ended world. The contrast between these two views the one which inspires the French legislator, the German legislator, or the European Community doctrine, and the more optimistic one with respect to discriminatory practices is put forward in this paper. Thus, imposed prices, franchising, concession and territorial protection are pratices discussed within this contrast. Moreover, a critique of the European Community doctrine is developed. The evolution of contract law and antitrust law is also examined by contrasting the two views. It is indeed the thesis of the market as a process which is underlined in the present analysis.