DESREGULACIÓN Y POLÍTICA DE COMPETENCIA.

This paper analyzes the case of Spain in the period from 1993 to 2005, when intense reforms in several industries took place in the country. We observe an increase in collusion and trust practices in liberalized industries, what requires an increase in the resources dedicated to antitrust policy. An econometric estimation demonstrates the influence that certain regulatory dimensions have on antitrust activity. Deregulation has an additional positive effect on antitrust activity. We also observe a learning effect in industries due to previous sanctions. Finally, we find a complementarity effect of regulatory agencies on the antitrust policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]