Economic Security and Competitive Markets: Reconciling Conflicting Ambitions

Economic Security and Competitive Markets: Reconciling Conflicting Ambitions

How can governments strengthen economic security without undermining open and competitive markets? This interdisciplinary conference brings together economists, legal scholars, policymakers and practitioners to explore one of the defining challenges of our time: reconciling economic security ambitions with the principles of a market economy in an increasingly fragmented geopolitical landscape.

Conference Description

The post-Cold War era was marked by the belief that growing economic interdependence and international trade would foster prosperity, stability and peace. For decades, the benefits of economic integration seemed to confirm this view, contributing to unprecedented levels of global trade, economic growth and cross-border cooperation. Today, however, this narrative is increasingly being challenged. Economic interdependence is no longer viewed solely as a source of mutual gains, but also as a strategic vulnerability and geopolitical leverage. As states increasingly use economic policies to pursue geopolitical and security objectives, economic interdependence and international trade have increasingly become arenas of strategic competition.

In response to these developments, the European Union has developed a comprehensive economic security agenda. In 2023, the European Commission launched the European Economic Security Strategy, which seeks to address the risks arising from economic interdependence in an increasingly fragmented geopolitical environment. The document adopts a three-pronged approach centered on promoting the competitiveness of the European Union, protecting its economic security, and partnering with like-minded countries to foster a resilient and secure economy. This agenda builds on and further develops a growing body of legal and policy instruments, including the FDI Screening Regulation, the Anti-Coercion Instrument, the Foreign Subsidies Regulation and a range of industrial and defense-related initiatives. The Strategy has subsequently been developed through a series of initiatives in the fields of trade and research and innovation.

While economic security has generated extensive legal, policy and geopolitical debate, two important dimensions have remained comparatively underexplored. First, comparatively limited attention has gone out to economic analysis of economic security. Also, the implications of economic security policies for market outcomes and the role of government in the economy remain insufficiently understood.

This gives rise to a fundamental question: How can economic security be advanced while preserving the foundations of an open market economy?

The envisaged conference addressing this question means to bring together economists, legal scholars, policy-makers and practitioners to explore this question from an interdisciplinary perspective. Particular attention will be devoted to two themes that lie at the heart of the contemporary economic security debate.

Conference themes and Panels

Panel I: Market Dynamics and Economic Security

This panel explores how economic security considerations are reshaping competition dynamics and influencing competition law and market regulation. Competitive markets have long been regarded as a cornerstone of the open market economy, promoting efficiency, innovation and consumer welfare. However, the growing integration of economic security objectives into regulatory frameworks raises important questions about how competition policy should respond to concerns relating to resilience, strategic autonomy and security. The panel welcomes contributions examining the evolving relationship between competition and economic security in an era of strategic competition.

Topics may include:

• The role of economic security in merger control;
• Economic security and concentrations under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation;
• Economic security objectives and the screening of foreign direct investments;
• Economic security considerations under Article 102 TFEU;
• Economic security and technological sovereignty.

Panel II: Government Spending and Economic Security

This panel explores the growing use of government spending as an instrument of economic security. Governments are among the largest purchasers of goods and services in modern economies, giving them significant capacity to shape markets, direct investments and influence economic outcomes. As governments seek to strengthen resilience, reduce strategic dependencies and support critical industries, government spending has become an increasingly important instrument of economic policy. The panel welcomes contributions examining the legal and economic implications of these developments, as well as the relationship between economic security, government spending and market integration.

Topics may include:

• The role of economic security considerations in defense and public procurement law;
• The Foreign Subsidies Regulation and economic security;
• Economic security and state aid rules;
• Economic security and 'buy European' initiatives;
• Economic security and technological sovereignty.

The conference welcomes contributions from both economists and legal scholars. Interdisciplinary contributions are particularly encouraged as well.

Submission guidelines

The conveners invite economists and legal scholars to submit their abstract by 21 September 2026.

Submissions should include:

• Title and abstract of no more than 500 words;
• The author’s name, affiliation and contact details.

Authors whose abstracts are selected for presentation at the conference will be invited to submit a draft paper of 10,000–12,000 words, including footnotes, by 5 January 2027.

Publication opportunities

The organizers intend to publish an edited volume based on the papers presented at the conference. Authors will have the opportunity to revise their papers in light of the feedback received during the conference and from the designated commentators. Final versions for publication must be submitted by 18 May 2027. Further details regarding the publication process will be communicated in due course.

Key deadlines

• Abstract submission: 21 September 2026
• Notification of acceptance: First week of October 2026
• Submission of draft paper: 5 January 2027
• Conference: 22 January 2027
• Submission of final papers: 18 May 2027

Funding

The organisers will provide accommodation in Amsterdam for all invited speakers for two nights (Thursday, 21 January and Friday, 22 January 2027). In addition, limited funding is available to reimburse reasonable travel expenses.

Social events

In addition to the academic programme, the conference will offer several opportunities for networking and informal exchange. Speakers and organizers are invited to a conference dinner in Amsterdam on the evening of Thursday, 21 January 2027. Lunch will be provided during the conference, which will conclude with a reception on Friday, 22 January 2027.

Organization and support

The conference is organized within the framework of the Research Centre for State and Law (SteR) research theme Market Functioning & Resilience by the Department of International and European Law at the Faculty of Law and the Department of Economics at the Nijmegen School of Management, Radboud University.

The organizers gratefully acknowledge the generous financial support of AKD, Radboud University, SteR and the department of International and European Law.