हिंदी

Imperfect Competition

Advertisements

Topics

  • Introduction
  • Definition: Imperfect Competition
  • Economist's contribution
  • Conditions leading to imperfect competition
  • Real-Life Application
  • Key Points: Imperfect Competition
CISCE: Class 12

Introduction

In real life, most markets do not satisfy all the strict conditions of perfect competition. Such markets, where at least one condition of perfect competition is violated, are called imperfectly competitive markets.

Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Definition: Imperfect Competition

"If a market is not organised, if contact between buyers and sellers is established with great difficulty and they are not in a position to compare the goods and the prices paid, then we face a situation of imperfect competition." — Fairchild

CISCE: Class 12

Economist’s contribution

  • The concept of imperfect competition was systematically analysed by Mrs Joan Robinson in her 1933 book Economics of Imperfect Competition (England).​
  • She argued that perfect competition and pure monopoly are extreme, rare cases; most real markets lie in between and are better described as imperfectly competitive.
CISCE: Class 12

Conditions leading to imperfect competition

A market becomes imperfectly competitive when one or more of the following conditions of perfect competition fail:​

  • Products are not identical (differentiated in brand, quality, and features).
  • Firms are not price takers; each firm has some control over its price.
  • There are barriers to entry or exit (legal, technological, financial).
  • Buyers and sellers do not have perfect information about prices and quality.
  • The number of sellers may be small (few big firms dominate).

If any of these conditions holds, the market is imperfectly competitive.

CISCE: Class 12

Real-Life Application

  • If buying and selling happen in a disorganised way, with limited information and difficulty comparing prices and quality, the market is imperfectly competitive.
  • Everyday markets like branded clothing, smartphones, and food delivery apps are imperfectly competitive because products are differentiated and firms influence prices.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Key Points: Imperfect Competition

  • Imperfect competition is more common in the real world than perfect competition.
  • It occurs when at least one condition of perfect competition fails (e.g., product differentiation, entry barriers, imperfect information).
  • It includes monopoly, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, and duopoly as major forms.
  • Firms often have some power to set prices, unlike in perfect competition, where firms are price takers.​

Test Yourself

Advertisements
Share
Notifications

Englishहिंदीमराठी


      Forgot password?
Use app×