The Clayton Act is a U.S. law enacted in 1914 to promote fair competition and prevent monopolies. It addresses specific practices that could harm competition, such as price discrimination, exclusive dealings, and mergers that may substantially lessen competition. By regulating these practices, the act aims to protect consumers and ensure a healthy marketplace. One key feature of the Clayton Act is its focus on preventing anti-competitive mergers. If a merger between two companies could create a monopoly or reduce competition, the government can block it. This helps maintain a diverse range of choices for consumers and supports small businesses in competing fairly against larger corporations.