Décarteler

Décarteler is a French verb that translates to "to un-cartel" or "to break up a cartel." In an economic context, it refers to the act of dismantling or dissolving a cartel, which is an association of independent businesses or states that formally agree to fix prices, limit production, or share markets. The term implies a process of breaking down the collusive arrangements that bind members of the cartel.

This process can be initiated by various entities. Governments or regulatory bodies might order the décartelization of a cartel if it is found to be engaging in anti-competitive practices that harm consumers or stifle innovation. This often involves legal action, fines, or the imposition of structural remedies. Alternatively, internal pressures within the cartel can lead to its décartelization. Disagreements among members, a desire for greater individual profit, or the emergence of new market conditions can cause individual participants to abandon the agreement, leading to the cartel's collapse.

The ultimate goal of décartelization is to restore competition to the market. By breaking up a cartel, the intention is to allow prices to be determined by supply and demand, encourage greater efficiency, and provide consumers with a wider range of choices and potentially lower prices. The process can be complex and may face resistance from cartel members who benefit from the artificially maintained market conditions.