What is a monopoly?
Monopolies exist when there is basically only one supplier of a good or service. In this scenario, the firm has the highest level of market power, as consumers do not have any alternatives (i.e. no competition). As a result, monopolies often reduce output to increase prices and earn more profit.
From the perspective of society, most monopolies are usually not desirable, because they result in lower outputs and higher prices compared to competitive markets. Therefore, they are often regulated by the government.
Back To All Questions
You might also be interested in...
-
What is monopolistic competition?
In monopolistic competition, there are many small firms who all have minimal shares of the market. Firms have many competitors, but each one sells products that are not considered “identical”. Characteristics of monopolistic competition include: Product Differentiation – The product of a firm is similar, but not an exact substitute for another firm. This differentiation...
-
What is perfect competition in economics?
Perfect competition describes a market structure where a large number of small firms compete against each other. In this scenario, a single firm does not have any significant market power. As a result, the industry as a whole produces the socially optimal level of output, because none of the firms can influence market prices.
-
What is an oligopoly?
An oligopoly describes a market structure that is dominated by only a small number of firms. This type of structure will result in a state of limited competition. The firms can either compete against each other or collaborate. By doing so, they can use their collective market power to drive up prices and earn more...
What is monopolistic competition?
In monopolistic competition, there are many small firms who all have minimal shares of the market. Firms have many competitors, but each one sells products that are not considered “identical”. Characteristics of monopolistic competition include: Product Differentiation – The product of a firm is similar, but not an exact substitute for another firm. This differentiation...
What is perfect competition in economics?
Perfect competition describes a market structure where a large number of small firms compete against each other. In this scenario, a single firm does not have any significant market power. As a result, the industry as a whole produces the socially optimal level of output, because none of the firms can influence market prices.
What is an oligopoly?
An oligopoly describes a market structure that is dominated by only a small number of firms. This type of structure will result in a state of limited competition. The firms can either compete against each other or collaborate. By doing so, they can use their collective market power to drive up prices and earn more...
