How Do Libertarians Deal With Monopiles

[u/OkPreparation710]

In wake of the Presidential Election, I have been reading and learning more about alternative ideologies. Libertarianism - particularly Minarchy - has stood out the most to me, but I cannot fathom how monopiles are dealt with. I understand that some people say that if the market is free with no regulations, then there can only ever be a monopoly by having such a good product, but what is there to stop business owners bribing smaller businesses to sell their business to them. For example, if Company A is the largest company in a sector. Then you have many smaller companies. What is stopping the owner of Company A from bribing the owners of all the smaller companies to sell their companies to Company A? Company A could then acquire all the competitors in the market, and hence a monopoly is created.

Sorry if this is naïve, but I just cannot wrap my head around it.

Thanks!

Edit: I just realised I spelt monopolies as monopiles, but I cannot change the title

Edit 2: Thank you for your help everyone, I understand now and the example of Thames Water in London has definitely reinforced the rest of your comments about monopolies being propped up by the Government most of the time

[u/Oeuffy]

Hey! Current libertarian and former antitrust absolutist (extend for the doj antitrust team in law school). A few answers:

The second wave school of antitrust on this is actually relatively hands off and libertarian, whereas Lina Khans third wave is more aggressive. The second wave is actually open to this acquisition strategy mainly because it is actually does the opposite of its intent.

Bribing is expensive and is more expensive based on success. If the success is obvious, the market gap and expensive bribe are much more obvious. other entrants see the successful niche open and come in if nothing else because they see a no lose: either they fill the gap and get rich or get bribed to exit and get rich. The monopoly cannot bribe an infinite chain of entrants. But each bribe makes the signal to enter the market stronger. Increasing competition.

[u/OkPreparation710 → u/Oeuffy]

This makes a lot of sense, thank you.