Monopoly is the outcome, not the antithesis, of competition.

Evidence

The replacement of the concept of real competition with that of perfect competition also compromises the understanding of the process of capital concentration. In fact, according to conventional theory, monopolies and oligopolies are terrible exceptions, a distortion of the market, to be fought against because they contradict the logic of harmonious competition leading to perfect equilibrium. On the contrary, a critical lens allows us to observe that, far from being “a break” with competition, monopolies are precisely its expression in action. As Shaikh reminds us, monopoly is not the antithesis of the market but the result of its dynamics. — Clara E. Mattei, Escape from Capitalism, 138

Categorization

• DEEPTHINKING: This reframes competition and monopoly as the same process, dissolving the common-sense dichotomy almost everyone reasons with — worth sitting with against the neoclassical frame.
• XREF: Echoes the law-merchant material: markets are not naturally harmonious, they require and produce concentration and discipline. — connects to: Competition under capitalism is a functional necessity, not manufactured legitimation. — Dirk Braunstein, Adorno’s Critique of Political Economy, 611; Monopolies themselves depend on continuing inter-monopoly struggle. — Dirk Braunstein, Adorno’s Critique of Political Economy, 613; Monopoly rent discounts the future in favor of the past — Kean Birch, Rethinking Value in the Bio-economy:…, 62 (+6 more)