Part I Background: populism, democracy, economy. A Context: Populism, Democracy, Markets, and Competition Law B Existing Debates and the Topic of the Book C Approach D Background Information on Hungary and Poland E Terminology 2 Populism and Its Relationship with Democracy and the Economy A Populism as a Driver of Illiberal Change in Democracy B Populism as a Driver of Illiberal Change in the Economy C Conclusions part ii populist influence on competition law systems 3 Conceptualization of the Impact of Populism on Competition Law Systems A Variables B Impact Scenarios C Limitations D Further Study 4 Institutions A Independence of Competition Agencies B Operating Capabilities of Competition Agencies C The Mandate of Competition Agencies D Judicial Review E Conclusions 5 Enforcement A Characteristics of Enforcement B Application of Competition Law to SOEs C Exemptions and Other Limitations on Enforcement D Advocacy E Conclusions part III a regional system 6 A Regional System: The Case of the EU A Legal Reforms: The Case of the ECN+ Directive B Reaction: EU Law Based Defenses C Deficit of Trust and Rule of Law Challenges in the Decentralized System of Competition Law D The Regional System’s Central Level: The European Commission E Conclusions part iv final diagnosis and prospects 7 Conclusions and the Way Forward A Diagnosis B Lessons about the Relationship between Competition Law, Democracy, and Free Markets C Projecting the Future D Solutions