It is where there are many sellers,
each of whom has a very small and
insignificant part of the total
market
It's the ideal market from consumer's and society's of
view, as the lowest price will be charged for the goods
and scarce resources are used efficiently
Assumptions/Characteristics of
Perfect Competition
There are Many Buyers in the Market
Nota:
They accept the market price, i.e. they are a price taker and each buyer acts independently.
There are Many Competitive Sellers in the Market
The Goods are
Homogenous
Nota:
The goods supplied by each firm are exactly the same. They are perfect substitutes for each other.
No Barriers to Entry or Exit within the Industry
Perfect Knowledge Exists as to Prices and Profits
Each Firm Seeks to Maximise Profits
No Collusion Exists on the Market
Nota:
Buyer's don't group together with other buyer's and sellers don't group together with other seller's (to restrict quantity).
Why Don't Firms in Perfect Competition
Engage in Advertising
Homogenous Goods
Nota:
Because the goods are identical, an individual produce cannot differentiate their product, therefore advertising is pointless.
Increased Cost and No Additional Revenue
Nota:
Advertising would increase a firm's cost and decrease its profits.
Benefits the Entire Industry
Long Run: SPECS
SNP not earned
Scarce Resources are used efficiently as
production is at lowest point of AC
Cost of Production at point A
Equilibrium occurs where MC = MR
Quantity Q is sold at Price P
Benefits of Perfect Competition
Minimum Prices
Nota:
The firm only earns normal profit and therefore the consumer is not being exploited as only minimum prices are charged.
No Advertising
Nota:
Resources will not be wasted through advertising and therefore no additional costs will be passed on to the consumer.
Production Occurs at Lowest Point of Costs
Efficiency is Encouraged
Nota:
Competition between firms will spur efficiency as those producing at lowest point of the AC will survive in the long run.
Disadvantages of Perfect Competition
No Scope for Economies of Scale
Nota:
Because there are many small firms producing relatively small amounts, no one firm can achieve economies of scale.
Little Choice for Consumers
Nota:
Undifferentiated products are unattractive and give little choice to consumers, unlike markets such as clothing and footwear.
No incentive to Develop New Technology
Nota:
With perfect knowledge there is little incentive to develop new technology, as it would be shared with other companies.