Competition policy is a field of academic inquiry and regulatory practice concerned with the principles and methods governments employ to maintain and promote competitive market conditions. It investigates market structures, firm behavior (including horizontal agreements, unilateral conduct, and mergers), and the economic and legal implications of anti-competitive practices. Characterized by its interdisciplinary nature, drawing on economics and law, it focuses on analyzing market power, identifying and remedying restraints on competition, and designing effective policy interventions aimed at enhancing economic efficiency, fostering innovation, and protecting consumer welfare.