Cartels as Crisis Management: Why Collusion May Be Inevitable During Economic Downturns

The impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been relentless, both from direct affliction with the virus itself and from the economic downturn devastating numerous industries. Though the novel coronavirus has ushered in a wave of economic fallout in the United States, it recalls past crises and the emergence of so-called crisis cartels, trying to brace the economic downswing. Given the economic effects of globalization and substantial growth of various industries, cooperation between individu