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Monopoly, Oligopoly, Perfect competition, and Monopolistic competition

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What is a market structure?
Define and discuss in detail the differences between a monopoly, an oligopoly, perfect competition and monopolistic competition.
Give real-life examples of each market structure.

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Solution Summary

The solution defines market structure, and outlines the differences between a monopoly, oligopoly, perfect competition, and monopolistic competition. Real-life examples and market structures are also provided.

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What is a market structure?

Economics uses the phrase "Market Structure" or "Market Form" to illustrate the state of a certain market with reverence of the degree or passion in relations to the competition between consumers on one side and the producers-merchants-sellers on the other. It presents the influence and variables of interactions such as price changes, selling process, and the degree of levels in the production process. There are four basic styles that make up a market structure. This is monopoly, an oligopoly, perfect competition and monopolistic competition (What is market structure, 2013).

Definitions and Differences

Monopoly: This identifies a market that has one individual or company or organization or government, or any other entity that provides are service or product. Thus establishing the parameters for getting into this industry. There may be barriers such as politics, economies, high cost, copy rights and/or patent control.

Oligopoly: This market has a small group of companies or organizations that hold control of a market, thus like in a monopoly, the standard in which it takes to get into this market are typically high. The product or services in this market are very similar in comparison. This makes the competitor interdependent as a result of the market variables.

Perfect competition: This ...

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