Airline Quote by Alfred Kahn
“Whenever competition is feasible it is, for all its imperfections, superior to regulation as a means of serving the public interest.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Policy Forum, 1972
Competition, despite flaws, often yields better public outcomes than direct regulation.
In simple terms: Competition can be better than regulation despite imperfections.
Consider market solutions before imposing strict rules.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- transportation planning
- energy markets
- telecommunications policy
- healthcare delivery
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When is regulation preferable to competition?
- How can we mitigate competition’s imperfections?
Competition may fail without safeguards against abuse.