This is all covered in microeconomics. Competition is very good for society. Things that stop competition are bad and require government action. The scenario above is describing the behaviors of a “natural monopoly” due to the barriers to enter the market. As with all monopolies, regulation or some government action is normally required to promote competition and stop bad behavior (some examples of government actions are described in the link below / the root article is an example).
I really wish microeconomics was a required course in high school or primary. I find it to be one of the least understood of the well-established fields, and one that matters when we get older and vote or debate on these topics.
The government is the actor. Do you think that corporate lobbying gives corporations the right to write their own laws, or something? Lobbying is paying someone to speak to a government representative. Every government representative has the full authority to respond, "No? That's stupid," and if they respond any other way they should be the one held accountable for it.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_monopoly
I really wish microeconomics was a required course in high school or primary. I find it to be one of the least understood of the well-established fields, and one that matters when we get older and vote or debate on these topics.