Week 13: Vertical Integration

Vertical Integration is a very unique and interesting concept seen often with current day business models. It makes sense for businesses want to cut out as many possible middlemen as they can to maximize products. However it is interesting the unthought of lengths we have gone to allow them but also make sure they don’t fall into becoming monopolies which has happened with unchecked vertical integration in the past as seen with the Rockefeller family and their oil monopoly. With the danger of monopoly looming and leading to inflated prices along with zero competition thus cutting of the marketplace of ideas that is a byproduct of competition and leads to progress. This threat of monopoly is one that must be prevented but it is also interesting sense vertical integration is natural for a company to want and also something that to stop one wouldn’t want to risk over regulation with. It is a very tricky concept due to this dilemma where there isn’t truly s perfect answer but rather a case by case basis this is seen currently with Facebook having arguably a monopoly in social media with no major competition which lets it put out unchecked messages that impact public perception while also being able to lie to its consumers with small repercussion. The way of dealing with Facebook has been argued from anti trust laws to letting it stay as is but just as dealing with others issues of vertical integration it is one that is complicated and messy.