Open to Debate Tech Titans or Tyrants: Should the U.S. Government Break Up Big Tech?
Dec 12, 2025
In this thought-provoking discussion, Bharat Ramamurti, former Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, and Matt Stoller, an expert on monopoly power, argue for breaking up Big Tech due to its overwhelming influence on competition and democracy. On the other side, Geoffrey Manne from the International Center for Law & Economics and Jennifer Huddleston from the Cato Institute caution against such measures, warning they could harm consumer welfare and innovation. The debate dives into historical precedents, market power, and the implications for civic life.
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Historical Precedent For Breakups
- Breaking up monopolies has precedent and aims to restore competition across markets like search, e-commerce, and app stores.
- Bharat Ramamurti argues historical breakups improved consumer choice, innovation, and lowered costs.
Weigh Consumer Welfare First
- Prioritize consumer welfare when assessing antitrust action and consider how regulation affects features and prices.
- Jennifer Huddleston warns lawmakers to weigh consumer trade-offs before pursuing breakups.
Platform Power Harms Local Ecosystems
- Concentration of digital ad and platform power creates local news collapse and economic dependence on gatekeepers.
- Matt Stoller ties platform control to harm for businesses, elections, and civic life.