Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book outlines the key theoretical views of political and economic power concentration. It focuses on neoliberalism. The book examines the history of competition policy in the United Kingdom (UK). It explores the structural changes that took place in the British economy between 1979 and 2007 and led to shifts in economic concentration. The book looks at UK competition policy in more detail during the Thatcher, Major and Blair years. It explores in terms of sectoral case studies, in energy markets and in the media, as well as more generally. The book looks at the distribution of political power in Britain under Thatcher, Major and Blair, in terms of the nation-state. It examines the thinking behind devolution and its political, electoral and ideological considerations. The book looks at how developments concerning the concentration of political and economic power have impacted upon contemporary events.