Which statement describes a regulatory mechanism used by federal economic regulation to protect the public from abuses by large businesses?

• A. Force a large business to break up into smaller companies if it has established a monopoly.
• B. Establish rules for the operation of big businesses to ensure fair competition.
• C. Government ownership of major industries.
• D. Allow monopolies to set prices freely.

Answer: (B)

The main concept is that federal economic regulation protects the public by setting rules that govern how large firms operate, ensuring fair competition and limiting abusive practices. Establishing rules for the operation of big businesses provides a continual framework—standards, reporting requirements, and prohibitions on unlawful conduct—so markets function more equitably and consumers aren’t harmed by monopolistic or deceptive behavior. This is the essence of the regulatory mechanism used to guard the public. The other options describe either a remedy after abuse (breaking up a monopoly), a different model (government ownership), or an approach that would undermine regulation (letting monopolies set prices freely).