Abstract: The recognition of an act as a crime is an expression of recognition of the public danger of such an act. One of the acts prohibited by the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation is the restriction of competition (Article 178 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Competition is the fundamental idea of a market economy and the basic idea of the long-term development of the state economy and the well-being of citizens in the modern world. In this regard, it is justified not only to support it, but also to protect it from the state. At the same time, questions often arise about the need to protect it within the framework of the criminal law order, which leads to talk about the need to decriminalize cartels. The above issues, in turn, arouse scientific interest in the study of the crime itself and its impact on public relations. As you know, one of the principles of crime is public danger. At the same time, there is no unified approach in theory to understanding the social danger of cartels. The prevailing judicial practice also creates difficulties, indicating the presence of criminal law cartels only at auctions (when allocating budgetary and near budgetary funds). These circumstances led to the study of the understanding of public danger in general (as a concept) and the public danger of cartels in theory and in practice, in particular, as well as the study of two opposite approaches: decriminalization and tougher penalties for cartels. The methods of logical and analytical analysis of scientific papers, domestic and international legislation were used in the work. The author analyzes approaches to the interpretation of public danger, in particular economic crimes (which include Article 178 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and gives his own conclusions about the interpretation of this understanding. The author analyzes judicial practice, theoretical approaches and draws conclusions about the goals of criminal punishment of cartel participants. Thus, the author came to the conclusion that the priority goal of criminalizing cartels is harm caused to the state budget, and not to the interests of economic entities operating in competitive markets. These conclusions are relevant for persons engaged in both theoretical research on the issue of criminal liability for restricting competition, and for persons engaged in law enforcement and law-making activities in the field of competition protection.

Abstract: Economic development is one of the main goals of states, state entities and unions. An important place in the development of the economy is to maintain and ensure competition. The legal order and forms of maintaining competition in state entities are different. At the same time, they are all aware of the high public danger of anti-competitive agreements. In this connection, the legislation of most countries and unions (organizations) provides for the prohibition of anti-competitive agreements and serious measures of prosecution for their conclusion. The aim of the work is the author's analysis of the international legal approach to the regulation of liability and prosecution of persons (both legal and physical) for the conclusion and participation in anti-competitive agreements. In this work, the methods of logical and analytical analysis of the legislation of countries, international organizations and unions were used.   According to the results of the study, it can be concluded that the importance (and hence the danger of cartels) of combating anti-competitive agreements is understood in most countries with leading economies. This danger is recognized both at the level of the state itself and at the level of state unions and organizations. The international community pays great attention to the issue of competition. The competition law of developed countries and international organizations in which they are composed is a developed system of effective regulation.
In order to optimize the interaction of law enforcement agencies and agencies involved in the fight against cartels, it is necessary to create common information bases, regulate the exchange of documents and information. In our opinion, it seems necessary to develop and implement the institute of joint activities by foreign agencies.