Perfect Competition
Features 2
•Perfect knowledge of market conditions
• Market equilibrium is achieved when quantity
demanded = quantity supplied.
• Price is determined by demand and supply in the
industry.
• Free entry and exit
1
• Price remains constant; firms can sell any
quantity at the market price.
• Large number of buyers and sellers
Price Determination
• No control over price by individual firms
• Firms are price takers.
• Homogeneous (identical) products
• The monopolistsets the price, considering the
demand curve.
• Full control over price
• High barriers to entry
Features Price Determination
• Single seller, no close substitutes
• Can charge higher prices and earn abnormal
(supernormal) profits in the long run.
• Price is set where marginal cost (MC) = marginal
revenue (MR).
• Price discrimination may exist
Monopoly
• In thelong run, only normal profit is earned as
new firms enter the market.
2
• Each firm faces a downward-sloping demand
curve.
• Free entry and exit • Firms set prices based on cost and perceived
value.
• Some control over price due to brand loyalty
• Many sellers, but each sells differentiated
products
Monopolistic Competition
• Price is set where MC = MR, but due to
differentiation, price > MC.
• Non-price competition (e.g., advertising)
Price Determination
Features
1
• Interdependence amongfirms
• Few large firms dominate
• Kinked demand curve may occur, leading to price
rigidity (sticky prices).
• Possibility of collusion or price wars
• No single method; pricing may be:
• High barriers to entry
• Collusive (Cartel): Firms agree on price (like OPEC).
• Products may be homogeneous (like steel) or
differentiated (like cars)
Oligopoly
• Non-collusive: Firms consider rivals' reactions
when changing prices.
Price Determination
Features
Market Type No.of Sellers Product Type Price Control Price Determination
Perfect Competition Many Homogeneous None By demand & supply
Monopoly One Unique Full Where MC = MR
Monopolistic Competition Many Differentiated Some Where MC = MR; price > MC
Oligopoly Few Homogeneous/Differentiated Some/Joint (collusion) Strategic, depends on market
conduct
Summary Table