Which act aimed to combat monopolistic practices in business?

The Clayton Antitrust Act is widely recognized as a pivotal piece of legislation aimed at addressing and preventing monopolistic practices in business. Enacted in 1914, this act built upon the provisions of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 by closing loopholes that allowed corporations to engage in anti-competitive behaviors without consequence.

The Clayton Act specifically targeted practices that could lead to monopolies or reduce competition, such as price discrimination, exclusive dealings, and certain mergers and acquisitions that might substantially lessen competition or create a monopoly. By establishing clear guidelines, the law aimed to protect consumer welfare and promote fair competition, addressing not only existing monopolies but also potential threats to market equilibrium.

While the Sherman Antitrust Act was the first federal legislation to outlaw monopolistic practices, the Clayton Act strengthened these efforts by prohibiting specific practices that could harm competition, thus playing a critical role in the evolution of antitrust law in the United States. The Federal Trade Commission Act, on the other hand, established the Federal Trade Commission to enforce antitrust laws but did not specifically target monopolistic practices.

The Constitutional Amendment choice does not relate to antitrust legislation, as amendments typically modify the Constitution rather than focusing on business practices.