17 July 2026 - honesty bonds

When two large companies want to merge, they always claim it will bring lower prices and more choice for customers. After the merger, of course, economics operates and produces the opposite. Antitrust decisions would be easier if we could ensure honest arguments. In fact, we can help the companies analyze accurately in the first place by requiring honesty bonds, where they make their promises concrete and pay out the difference with reality. If that turns out insufficient, we'll have to invent public good bonds.